THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
225 
and have them bleed, than to neglect to completely expose a dis¬ 
eased part. This done, the horn is to be thinned as ranch as pos¬ 
sible, upon the circumference of the diseased spots, in order to 
give a suppleness which would ease the swelling of the uncovered 
parts. 
Upon the exposure of the disease where it exists, the fici 
existing on the surface and edges of the velvety tissues are to be 
removed with the scissors or sharp sage knife ; at the same time 
the parts of horn which may have remained are to be cut off, 
avoiding, however, the healthy tissue beneath, which still retains 
its normal character. 
When the canker is very extensive, so that the wall is loose on 
each quarter, or on all its circumference, it is of advantage to pro¬ 
ceed in the required operations at different times. 
This done, the shoe can be put on ; after which the diseased 
surface and surrounding horn are to be covered with a thick layer 
of the medicamentous preparation. If this is in form of a paste, 
as is often the case, it is spread over with a spatula. If in pow¬ 
der, it is thrown over it carefully. If liquid, balls of oakum are 
soaked with it and placed on, the whole being then kept in place 
by pads and plates. The important point is that the dressing 
should be so applied as to be easily changed, that an exact, 
regular and sufficiently strong pressure be kept on. No better 
means can be used for this than the divided plates already re¬ 
ferred to. 
In canker the dressing must be renewed every day, and even 
twice daily at the beginning of the treatment. This is an essential 
condition of success, whatever may be the therapeutical agent em¬ 
ployed ; and this is not a simple difficulty in practice where the 
patient is not always of easy access. Moreover, this dressing is 
somewhat complicated, and can only be skillfully made by the 
veterinarian himself. 
It often occurs that upon the removal of the first dressing, 
(the second day) one finds the tissues already covered by a layer of 
hardened horn, adherent to their surfaces. One must then, with 
the finger, a spatula, or a dry pad of oakum, rub it off where it 
is found loose and movable and if necessary, renew the applica- 
