THRUSH— CANKER— LAMINITIS. 403 



by a bar-shoe lightly tacked on, and in this case taking its bearing 

 on the heels and not on the frog. Sometimes a wash answers 

 better than a greasy application, and then a strong solution of the 

 chloride of zinc may be employed, about six grains to the ounce 

 of water. Tow dipped in this may be applied in the same way as 

 with the ointment, and either one or the other should be re-ap- 

 plied every day. As the new horn grows, it must be kept supple 

 by tar ointment, and until it is fully developed the bar-shoe should 

 be kept on, applying some degree of pressure by means of the tow, 

 which should be stuffed in so as to compress the frog, beginning 

 with very light pressure, and, as the horn increases in substance, 

 augmenting it in proportion. By attention to these directions a 

 thrush of this kind may be cured, if the foot is not damaged 

 throughout, and even the frog may be restored to a comparative 

 state of health. 



CANKER. 



Canker is generally an extension of the third form of thrush, 

 the ulceration spreading to the sensible sole, and afterwards to the 

 coffin-bone itself. At first the ulcerated surface is concealed by the 

 old horn, but gradually this breaks away, and then the extent of 

 the mischief may be seen. A part or the whole of the sole and the 

 frog may be in a state of ulceration, generally depending upon the 

 time during which the disease has been in existence, and the care 

 which has been taken of it, or the reverse. The only treatment to 

 be adopted is the careful removal of every loose piece of horn, so 

 as to expose the unsound surface to the action of remedies, and at 

 the same time to avoid poisoning it by the decomposing horn, which 

 has a most irritating effect. The sulphate of copper, and chloride 

 of zinc, are the best applications, and they must be used in full 

 strength. These cases, however, require an experienced eye to 

 enable the prescriber to judge of the proper amount of caustic re- 

 quired; and beyond suggesting the kind of remedy required, no 

 good can be done by written prescriptions. If it is impossible to 

 obtain the advice of a veterinarian, it will be better to begin by 

 using a mild caustic, and then increase the strength as it is found 

 to be wanted. Pitch ointment forms the best greasy application to 

 the adjacent sound surfaces to protect them from the irritation of 

 the discharge. 



LAMINITIS. 

 (^Founder or Fever of the Feet.') 



The term laminitis is now familiar with every one at all ac- 

 customed to horses, though it has not long been introduced into 

 the vocabulary of the professional man. The disease, however, 

 has been recognised for many years under the terms "founder" 

 and " fe^er of the feet." It consists in an inflammation (which 



