Canker, is a sharp humour, called the thrush, which, in some instances, attacks the sole of the foot, and does inconceiv able mischief: if neglected, it will in time destroy the whole foot. The appearance of this complaint is decided, it rising like a fungous excrescence, covering the dis eased part, and must be completely ex tirpated before a cure can be expected. Cut away freely from the horny sole, and dress the surface with a solution of lunar caustic dipped in tow. Fasten on well, as much depends on pressure : if the shoe be ribbed with cross bars, all the better. Raising the opposite foot, so as to make the horse bear on the cankered one, will facilitate the remedy.
Catarrh, often called morfoundering, is usually the effect of cold, and produces the same symptoms as among the human species. Sometimes acute fever attends ; in such case the greatest service will be rendered by warm diluting drinks ; or eventually by mild purges, aided by bleeding. Warm clothing, and a warm mash suspended in a nose-bag, will afford great relief. The glands should be co vered with flannel, moistened in a mix ture of hartshorn, one part, and olive oil, four parts. Avoid whatever is heating, and be careful to keep the bowels open, the skin moist, and the bedding abun dantly supplied. The stable ought not to be kept too hot, as it would render the horse tender in his lungs, and perhaps induce to broken wind. Encourage the running at the nose : if obstructed, the glanders would probably ensue.
Corns, consist of extravasated blood, or lymph, collected between the crust, or wall of the hoof, and the bars. These, in general, proceed from bad shoeing, especially from the heels being contract ed, by hard labour, and improper pres sure. Cut away as far as the extravasa tion, and apply a pledget of lint, dipped in tincture of myrrh, or in balsam of Peru. When the corn has been cut, the horse should be turned out to grass, without shoes, if practicable ; or if his labour can mot be dispensed with, let a ehambe;ecl shoe be put on, so as to avoid pressing the part.
Cough, when this is symptomatic, it will disappear as the complant which it attends may be removed; but if chronic, the cure will be uncertain, difficult, and tedious. The following cheap recipe has often proved serviceable. Tar eight pounds, lime twelve pounds, water six gallons ; mix them well, and give a quart every morning.
Cracks, in the heels, usually proceed from a gross habit, or from filth, or from washing the legs without rubbing them dry. Sometimes the cracks discharge a quantity of sharp ichor, which must be frequently removed, or severe excoria tions may follow. Wash with strong soap-suds, lower the food, give mild pur ges, or diuretics, and, if the habit be full, bleed freely. Avoid all greasy applica tions, and allow no ligatures : wash often, and dry carefully.
Diabetes, or a profuse discharge of urine, is generally considered a fatal dis ease : it is often brought on by violent medicines, especially diuretics, which should be carefully avoided in this com plaint. Bad food is also a frequent cause. The surest remedy, if any can be so call ed, is to feed the horse with fresh blood, or with strong meat broth ; avoiding ve getables, unless it be good wheaten bread. Opium, bark, chalk, and such to nics and correcting medicines, as also the volatile liver of sulphur in small doses, will be usually found to give relief: though a perfect cure is scarcely to be expected.
Diarrhea, or looseness, often follows the injudicious use of strong medicines ; and especially where astringents have been given. The complaint is some what critical ; in which instance it should not be checked, but treated with copious diluents of a soft kind. Sometimes hard labour, in bad weather especially, with bad stabling, or bad food, will induce this complaint, which is to be treated with great caution ; lest it should degenerate into dysentery, inject the anodyne clys ter, and give the following drink twice daily : opium two drachms, ipecacuanha three drachms, prepared chalk four oun ces, thin starch a pint : mix, and drench with it. If it does not answer the inten tion within four days, at farthest, give alum whey, as recommended for the dy sentery. Avoid all astringents, but give no cold drink, and encourage sweat by means of good clothing. Litter well, and allow a moderate current of air, if the sta ble be hot.
Dysentery, or flux, commonly called molten-grease, is a most painful and dan gerous complaint. The animal is usually afflicted with tenesmus, and voids a great quantity of slimy mucus, and but little dung. This disease arises from a great variety of causes, and in some seasons is said to be epidemic.