CANKER OF THE EAR INTERNAL 
This disease consists of ulcerous 
sores forming on the inside of the 
ears, which, if neglected, will, after 
eating through the cartilage, attack 
the bone, producing abscesses in 
the head and total deafness. It is 
the cause of great pain and annoyance, and should be treated on 
first symptoms appearing, when it may be readily cured, whereas, 
if allowed to run on indefinitely, as is frequently the case, it is very 
obstinate. I find it much more prevalent in long-eared dogs than 
those of the small-eared varieties, doubtless due to the fact that a 
large ear, besides retaining more heat in the head than the small 
one, also helps to hide from a careless owner the accumulations of 
dirt that is certain to occur when the ears are not properly looked 
after and cleansed. Frequently associated with Internal Canker 
is External Canker, an ulcerous sore forming on the edge of the 
ear, caused by constant shaking of the head, which gradually eats 
into the leather (or flap of the ear). 
External Canker, may also originate from the ears being 
torn or scratched with briars, and will then exist independent 
of internal canker, but when the former is observed the latter 
should always be suspected and the ears thoroughly examined to 
ascertain if there be any internal trouble. 
Causes. -Exposure to cold, being a great deal in the water, 
injuries due to a blow or a kick, neglecting to keep the ears clean, 
are all assigned as causes productive of internal canker. They 
may help towards its development, but I believe the origin of the 
trouble is an inflammatory condition of the blood, which exhibits 
itself in the form of internal canker on slight provocation. The 
fact of its frequently being associated with skin diseases is further 
evidence of its origin in the blood. Too much meat or corn 
meal feeding will produce an inflammatory condition of the 
blood. Let me here say that for years I have been opposed to 
22 
Mastiff 
