318 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
As the object of that abominably cruel and barbarous 
operation of stripping the sole is the exposure of all canker, 
and as this can be done with equal certainty with the aid of 
the hot iron, there can be no necessity for performing it. 
The pain of cauterizing cankered tissue, which is a neces- 
sary operation, is infinitesimal (canker largely destroying 
sensation), compared with the pain produced in the totally 
unnecessary process of tearing healthy horn from a highly 
sensitive tissue. 
‘Having by means of the knife and cautery removed 
every known particle of disease, the next procedure is to 
pack the surface of the sole and frog thus exposed with a 
mild dressing, such as vaseline; but if the cankered surface 
has not been efficiently scraped, then there is required a more* 
powerful astringent or caustic dressing, which may vary 
considerably according to the individual fancy. A great 
favourite of mine consists of equal parts of sulphates of 
copper, iron, and zinc, mixed with strong carbolie acid, 
a very little vaseline being added to give the mass cohesion. 
The dressing, covered by a pledget of tow, is held in posi- 
tion by a shoe with an iron or leather sole, and the dressing 
and tow together should be of sufficient bulk to produce 
slight pressure on the sole when the nails of the shoe are 
drawn up. This insures contact between the dressing and 
the exposed surface, as well as any benefit derivable from 
pressure. 
‘The dressing of the foot and nailing of the shoe can 
usually be more expeditiously performed when the horse is 
on his feet than when prone. If only the frog, or the frog 
and a small part of the sole, be involved, the horse should 
be kept at work, but if a large part or the whole of the sole 
a few days’ rest may be necessary; but as soon as the con- 
dition of the foot will allow, work should be resumed, and 
it is simply marvellous how sound a horse will walk while 
minus the greater part of his sole from canker. 
‘On the second day following the shoe should be re- 
* The words in italics are alterations in the original article made by 
Mr. Malcolm in a private letter to the author (H. C. R.). 
