THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 419 



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 sometimes be successful ; 

 but on other occasions every one will fail Solutions of the 

 various caustics, the different acids, either diluted or of 

 the full strength, powders in which the sulphates or 

 chlorides are mingled with chalk, bark, or charcoal, and 

 compounds of all kinds of things have their advocates. 

 Nitric acid and tar is in great favour with some parties. 

 Others employ verdigris, mixed with tar and treacle, or 

 honey, to which is often added a portion of sugar of lead. 

 In fact, the recipes are too numerous to be repeated ; but 

 they all have one and the same intention, namely, to act as 

 a caustic and astringent, reducing the fungus, and stimu- 

 lating the part to take on a healthy secretion. 



No recipe can strictly be given in a case of this kind. 

 The strength of the agent should be suited to the state of 

 the disease ; and in this particular no two cases will be alike. 

 Let, therefore, the judgment be exercised ; and at the same 

 time let it be remembered that it is better to change the 

 application than to continue its use when it appears to 

 produce no marked or beneficial effect. A rapid succession 

 of different agents employed in different forms will often 

 do that which a pertinacious adherence to a favourite 

 nostrum will too frequently fail to accomplish. When not 

 judiciously employed, the more potent remedies for canker 

 not only destroy the surface to which they are applied, 

 but deeply and injuriously eat into the foot. The 

 whole cankered surface being exposed, sprinkle it with the 

 following powder : 



Chloride of zinc .... 1 drachm. 

 Resin 4 ounces. 



Or, 



Chloride of lime .... 1 ounce. 

 Alum and resin .... 2 ounces. 

 Observe, neither of these powders will keep dry, and, 

 therefore, must be made fresh for use. 



A layer of lint and dry soft tow must be spread over 

 the whole of the exposed surface, and made firmly and 

 equally to press upon it by thin strips of spring-steel slid 



