418 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



particularly remembering, in these very aggravated cases, 

 to remove occasionally all the surrounding horn likely to 

 press on the injured part. Animals that could not wear 

 tips, or bear a bar shoe upon the foot, have gone well when 

 shod with leather, and with a shoe shortened at the quarter, 

 which is the seat of corn. By regularly attending to this, 

 horses, before useless, have been able to perform work with 

 comfort to themselves and satisfaction to their owner. In 

 slight cases of corn, the shoe proper to be used is one of 

 rather more substance than common, with the web a little 

 wider than usual, and its width equal throughout — that is, 

 as wide at the heels as the toe ; it should also extend rather 

 farther back than it generally does, and present a perfectly 

 level surface to the sole. This affords ease and protection. 

 Future pressure must be avoided by keeping the seat of 

 corns clear from offending horn. 



Thrush (see Diseases of the Hinder Feet). — When thrush 

 occurs in the fore feet, it may be considered indicative 

 of navicular disease. By inserting a piece of tow in the 

 suspected frog, the characteristic odour will be at once 

 discovered. 



CANKER. 



Canker is distinguished by the growth of a fungoid 

 substance, instead of healthy horn, over the surface of the 

 soft parts of the sensitive frog and sole, exuding a thin and 

 oflfensive discharge, which has the property of decomposing 

 horn. 



In mild 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. The owner must not 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 unspaiing a hand. A level 

 surface being thus produced, the mujiate of antimony may 

 be lightly applied over the whole of it. 



