CANKER, in the foot of the horse. This malady, believed by Gerlach, of Berlin, to be truly cancerous, is observed in two different forms: in the acute stage, when the malady is chiefly local; and in the chronic stage, when the constitution suffers, and all local remedies fail to restore a healthy function of the structures of the foot.
Symptoms.—It usually commences by discharge from the heels, or the cleft of the frog of the horse's foot. The horn becomes soft and disintegrated, the vascular struct ures beneath become inflamed, and the pain which the animal endures is intolerable. It is therefore very lame on one, two, or all feet, according to the number affected. Though there is no constitutional fever, the horse becomes emaciated, and unfit for work. During wet weather, and on damp soil, the symptoms increase in severity. The sore structures bleed on the least touch, and considerable fungoid granulations, commonly called proud flesh, form rapidly.
Causes.—This disease is occasionally hereditary, and it is most frequently seen in low-bred draught or coach horses. Dirt, cold, and wet favor the production of the disease, and there is always a tendency to relapse when once an animal has been affected.
lreatment.—Pare away detached portions of horn, and, in mild cases, sprinkle pow dered acetate of copper over the sore; apply over this pledgets of tow, fixed over the foot by strips o, iron or wood passed between shoe and foot. In severe cases, tar and nitric acid, creosote and turpentine, chloride of zinc paste, and other active caustics, have to be used for a time with the regular employment of pressure on the diseased surface. The animal requires to be treated constitutionally by periodical purgatives and alteratives. Good food, fresh air, and exercise often aid much in the treatment of the disease.