CANKER. 285 



horse with low, weak heels has not a particle of horn 

 to lose ; the inner heel, the seat of corn, should more 

 especially be respected. 



CANKER. 



Canker is not the separation of the horn from the 

 sensitive part of the foot, but the growth of a fungoid 

 instead of healthy horn. 



In bad cases of long standing, in which all the feet 

 are involved, it will rarely be prudent to attempt a 

 cure. But in milder cases every portion of diseased 

 horn must be removed ; otherwise the confinement of 

 the fungus will not only exceedingly torture the 

 horse, but by the irritation which it produces, will 

 prolong the disposition to throw out the unhealthy 

 substance. This is a rule which admits of no excep- 

 tion ; and the owner must never be terrified at the 

 extent to which the foot is laid bare : not the slightest 

 good can be effected while there is any portion of 

 fungus confined. 



Having laid the unhealthy part perfectly open, 

 the practitioner will consider what kind of surface it 

 presents. If there is much fungus, he will probably 

 resort to the knife. The fungus must be destroyed, 

 and it cannot be done too soon, or with too unsparing 

 a hand. A level surface being thus produced, the 

 butyr of antimony may be lightly applied over the 

 whole of it. 



There is no disease for the relief of which there are 

 more numerous remedies, all strongly recommended, 

 than for canker. All and each of these will some- 



