CANKER. 361 
more breaks out again in one of the feet which had been cured; thus 
the affection dodges about till patience is exhausted. 
Canker has hitherto been reckoned an intractable disorder. It is 
mostly seen in heavy horses, with weak, flat feet. These creatures pro- 
verbially receive but little grooming. They are esteemed only for their 
labor, and honored with small attention, which does not decidedly fit 
them for their work. Their stables are seldom to be cited as examples 
of what a horse’s home should be. ‘Their beds are never too clean; and 
a number of foul disorders, as thrush, grease, etc., are located among 
them. Their food is generally measured by the scale of profit and loss; 
for few cart-horses, in the generality of establishments, can boast of any 
extraordinary care being lavished on their comfort. 
For the treatment of canker, the first thing is to attend to the stable. 
See that the building is lofty and well drained; that the ventilation is 
perfect, and the bedding unexceptionable. Then inspect the water, the 
oats, and the hay. Allow the horse a liberal support, and with each 
feed of oats mingle a handful of old beans. These things being arranged, 
order the animal into the forge. Cut away every portion of detached 
horn. When that is done, pare off carefully so much of the soft, diseased 
horn as the knife can readily separate. Then apply a dressing of the 
following strength to the diseased parts :— | 
Chloride of zine . ..... +. +. +. . . Halfan ounce. 
Common flour ........ ... . . Four ounces. 
Mix, and apply dry on the foot. 
To the sound parts use— 
Chloride of zine . . . . . . . . . . . Four grains. 
lout: Greist as GP ake ee) ee 4, “OnevounCe: 
Cover over the sound parts before you begin to dress the fungoid gran- 
ulations. 
Afterward tack on the shoe. Pad well, so as to obtain all the pressure 
possible; and fasten the padding on the foot by means of cross pieces 
of iron driven firmly under the shoe. Let the horse be carefully groomed, 
and receive four hours’ exercise daily. 
On the second day remove the padding. Cut off so much of the gran- 
ulations as appear to be in a sloughing condition. Repeat the dressing, 
and continue examining and redressing the foot every second day. 
When some places appear to be in a state of confirmed health, an appli- 
cation of the following strength should be employed to such parts; but 
where the granulations continue to sprout, or the horn appears to be of 
a doubtful character, the caustic mixtures of the original strength must 
be used :— 
