CANKER. 161 



follow. It will be found lodged deep in the passage, and can only be 

 detected by moulding the ear ; the effused pus will occasionally occupy 

 the inside of the ear to its very tip. However extensive and annoying the 

 inflammation may be, and occasionally causing so much thickening of the 

 integument as perfectly to close the ear, it is always superficial. It will 

 generally yield to proper treatment, and the cartilage of the ear may not 

 be in the slightest degree affected. Still, however, the animal may suffer 

 extreme pain ; the discharge from the ulcer may produce extensive ex- 

 coriation of the cheek ; and, in a few cases, the system may sympathise 

 with the excessive local application, and the animal may be lost. 



The treatment must vary with circumstances. If the ulceration is deep 

 in the ear, and there is not a very great degree of apparent inflammation, 

 recourse may be had at once to a stimulating and astringent application, 

 such as alum or the sulphate of zinc, and in the proportion of six grains 

 of either to an ounce of water. If, however, the ulceration occupies the 

 greater part of the hollow of the ear, and is accompanied by much thick- 

 ening of the integument, and apparent filling up of the entrance to the ear, 

 some portion of the inflammation must be first subdued. 



The only chance of getting rid of the disease is to confine the ear. A 

 piece of strong calico must be procured, six or eight inches in width, and 

 sufficiently long to reach round the head and meet under the jaw. Along 

 each side of it must be a running piece of tape, and a shorter piece sewed 

 at the centre of each of the ends. By means of these the cap may be 

 drawn tightly over the head, above the eyes, and likewise round the neck 

 behind the ears, so as perfectly to confine them. 



After all, no mild ointment will dispose, such an ulcer to heal, and 

 recourse must be had at once to a caustic application. A scruple of the 

 nitrate of silver must be rubbed down with an ounce of lard, and a little 

 of it applied twice every day, and rubbed tolerably hard into the sore 

 until it assumes a healthy appearance ; it may then be dressed with the 

 common calamine ointment. 



If the discharge should return, the practitioner must again have recourse 

 to the caustic ointment. 



The cartilage will never close, but the integument will gradually cover 

 the exposed edges, and the wound will be healed. The ear will, however, 

 long continue tender, and, if it should be much beaten, by the shaking of 

 the head, the ulcer will reappear. This must be obviated by occasionally 

 confining the ears, and not over-feeding the dog. 



Some sportsmen are accustomed to round the ears, that is to cut off the 

 diseased part. In very few instances, however, will a permanent cure be 

 effected, while the dog is often sadly disfigured. A fresh ulcer frequently 

 appears on the new edge, and is more difficult to heal than the original 

 one. Nine times out of ten the disease reappears. 



The Newfoundland dog is very subject to this disease, to remedy which 

 recourse must be had to the nitrate of silver. 



Spaniels have often a mangy inflammation of the edges of the ear. It 

 seldom runs on to canker ; but the hair comes off round the edges of the 

 ear, accompanied by much heat and scurfiness of the skin. The common 

 sulphur ointment, with an eighth part of mercurial ointment, will usually 

 remove the disease. 



From the irritation produced by canker in or on the ear, and the con- 

 stant flapping and beating of the ear, there is sometimes a considerable 



M 



