INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 321 



produce a small sore or a " sit-fast " than to leave a part of 

 the canker undetected ; but, on the other hand, it is better 

 to leave a small part of canker undetected, which can be 

 recognized and removed at the next examination, than to 

 cause a large slough. The object of the skilful surgeon is, 

 naturally, to avoid both extremes ; and if trouble be taken 

 to carry out the procedure described, there need be no fear 

 of the result.'* 



Treated in this way, the horse with cankered feet may be 

 usually kept at work during the whole time that treatment 

 is carried out, and a cure is obtainable in periods varying 

 from six weeks to six or even twelve months. 



The same essentials in treatment — namely, removal of 

 diseased horn, antiseptic dressings, and pressure — are in- 

 sisted on by other writers. Bermbach,*}" in 1888, treats 

 canker as follows: The horse having been cast, the under- 

 mined hoof-horn is removed with the knife, and the hyper- 

 trophied sensitive structures, if necessary, reduced in the 

 same manner. The chief difficulty in removing the latter 

 is experienced in the lateral lacunae of the frog, where it is 

 most conveniently scraped away with a spoon or sharp 

 curette. Professor Hoffmann and Imminger also operate in 

 the same way, applying an Esmarch's haemostatic bandage, 

 and using the knife and curette freely. $ 



Haemorrhage is afterwards arrested, and a dressing of 

 perchloride of mercury (a solution, } per cent., in equal 

 parts of alcohol and water) applied. The after-dressings 

 succeeding best are those of slightly caustic and astringent 

 agents, preferably in the form of a powder, and held in 

 position by carbol-jute pads and linen bandages applied 

 with a certain amount of pressure. 



The same author draws attention to the fact that caustic 

 agents such as nitrate of lead, chloride of zinc, etc., act too 

 powerfully if the bleeding has been arrested and the wound 



* Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, vol. iv., 

 p. 24. 



t Ibid., vol. ii., p. 68. 

 + Veterinary Journal, vol. xxxv., p. 433. 



