174 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



de Medecine Veterinaire," we read that Mesnard has had ad- 

 mirable results in the treatment of canker with carbide of calcium, 

 which is a product of the electrical furnace and is obtained by 

 fusing carbon and lime together. When it comes in contact with 

 water, it gives off acetylene gas. Mesnard uses a mixture of 320 

 grains of carbide of calcium and 80 grains, each, of neutral 

 acetate of copper and iodide of starch. "After removing the de- 

 generated horn and debris from the parts affected, and having 

 dried the diseased surface and thinned the horn around, the bare 

 patch was swabbed with ether, which cleanses the part and also 

 produces a local anaesthesia. The diseased area was then com- 

 pletely covered by the powder, which was well dusted into the 

 lacunae of the diseased frog, and kept applied to the parts by 

 iodised cotton wool, and bandaged in the ordinary way. The 

 dressing was changed daily, and any diseased horn removed ; 

 but after the dressing had been used for ten days, the parts were 

 quite dry, and covered by a thin pellicle of healthy horn. When 

 the powder is applied to the affected parts, a slight crackling is 

 heard, due to the disengagement of the acetylene, which is at 

 once recognised by its odour." The same treatment has given 

 excellent results with wounds and grease. 



ilbove all things, we should utilise the healthy influence of pres- 

 sure on the foot, and if possible should dispense with shoes, even 

 if we have to employ slings. The floor of the stall or box should 

 be kept scrupulously dry and clean, and the animal, if practicable, 

 should be well exercised on dry and soft ground, so as to put pres- 

 sure on his soles and frogs. With the same object, the heels and 

 walls of the feet should be kept low. 



Under ordinary methods, cases of canker require several weeks, 

 if hot months, of careful treatment. 



LEGAL VIEW. — Canker is a grave unsoundness. 



Sandcrack 



is a vertical crack in the wall of the hoof, occurring, in the first 

 instance, close to the coronet. 



CAUSES. — In the healthy foot, the fibres of the wall are firmly 

 held together by adhesive material, which is secreted by the coronet, 

 or, according to some authorities, by the sensitive laminae, which 

 cover the external surface of the pedal bone. If the secreting mem- 

 brane be subjected to influences which will impair its healthy work- 

 ing, the material secreted under such conditions will to a certain 

 extent be deprived of its binding character, and the horn which it 



