DISEASE OF THE PHALANGES OF A DOG. 735 
When brought for my inspection he was extremely lame, 
especially in the right fore limb. By questioning the lad 
who brought the animal, I ascertained that the malady had 
made its appearance only two days previously, and was now 
much worse than on the previous day. 
On examination, ulcers were found on the left foot, situ¬ 
ated at the juncture of the first and second phalanges of four 
toes, and on the right foot occupying the uniting medium 
between the third and fourth phalanges of all the toes. The 
ulcers on the left foot had burst, and from the surface small 
sinuses could be traced inwards, so as to involve the deeper 
seated parts. 
On manipulating the other foot, evidences of great pain 
were produced, indeed, the part fluctuated under the finger. 
A tolerably large incision was made with a lancet, which 
gave exit to a quantity of puro-sanguineous fluid; the re¬ 
mainder I squeezed out by means of my thumb and index- 
finger. After this I saturated a lint bandage with a lotion 
composed of sea-salt, acetic and carbolic acids, camphor, and 
rain-water, and gave the lad a four-ounce bottle of the mix¬ 
ture, with instructions for him to wet the bandage with it 
two or three times a day, and if the bandage came off, either 
to put it on again, or by other means to keep the dog from 
licking the sores. I also sent some laxative pills, to be ad¬ 
ministered daily. The beast left the surgery as lame, if not 
lamer, than when he came. 
The following day the sores on both feet were much about 
the same; a little fluid trickled down their sides by pressure, 
but there was hardly any pain. Another small abscess was 
making its appearance just below the left dew-claw. The 
parts were kept well bathed with the lotion, in preference to 
lancing the abscess, thus allowing nature to obtain an exit 
for its contents. As the pills had not the desired effect, some 
castor-oil mixture was given. 
On the following day the animal was nothing like so lame, 
the abscess having burst during the night. All the sores 
were looking better. Continued the lotion. In about a 
week from this date the patient had so far recovered as to 
require no further medical treatment. 
