318 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



As the object of that abominably cruel and barbarous 

 operation of stripping the sole is the exposure of all canker, 

 and as this can be done with equal certainty with the aid of 

 the hot iron, there can be no necessity for performing it. 

 The pain of cauterizing cankered tissue, which is a neces- 

 sary operation, is infinitesimal (canker largely destroying 

 sensation), compared with the pain produced in the totally 

 unnecessary process of tearing healthy horn from a highly 

 sensitive tissue. 



' Having by means of the knife and cautery removed 

 every known particle of disease, the next procedure is to 

 pack the surface of the sole and frog thus exposed with a 

 mild dressing, such as vaseline ; but if the cankered surface 

 has not been efficiently scraped, then there is required a 

 more* powerful astringent or caustic dressing, which may 

 vary considerably according to the individual fancy. A 

 great favourite of mine consists of equal parts of sulphates 

 of copper, iron, and zinc, mixed with strong carbolic acid, 

 a very little vaseline being added to give the mass cohesion. 

 The dressing, covered by a pledget of tow, is held in posi- 

 tion by a shoe with an iron or leather sole, and the dressing 

 and tow together should be of sufficient bulk to produce 

 slight pressure on the sole when the nails of the shoe are 

 drawn up. This insures contact between the dressing and 

 the exposed surface, as well as any benefit derivable from 

 pressure. 



1 The dressing of the foot and nailing of the shoe can 

 usually be more expeditiously performed when the horse is 

 on his feet than when prone. If only the frog, or the frog 

 and a small part of the sole, be involved, the horse should 

 be kept at work, but if a large part or the whole of the sole 

 a few days' rest may be necessary ; but as soon as the con- 

 dition of the foot will allow, work should be resumed, and 

 it is simply marvellous how sound a horse will walk while 

 minus the greater part of his sole from canker. 



' On the second day following the shoe should be re- 



* The words in italics are alterations in the original article made 

 by Mr. Malcolm in a private letter to the author (H. C. R.). 



