CANKER .--A n extremely loathsome disease, which very often has its origin in frush; at other times it is produced by grease: in fact it may ori ginate in almost any neglected or maltreated dis eased action, continuing long in the foot. It is brought on by the ichorous and putrid issues of the diseased parts corrupting the adjoining healthy parts, and at length inducing in them a malignant cancerous action, which, when once set up, spreads rapidly over the contiguous surfaces. In place of producing hoof, parts once become cancerous or cankerous, give growth to a white, soft, fungous substance, which, on being cut or pricked, readily bleeds, and would appear also from the irritability of the animal to be highly sensitive. To cure the canker, the first object should be to destroy this rnordid secretory action: which is best done by aquafortis; with a feather dipped into the liquid, spread it over the surface; alter which, cover the parts with an ointment composed of ve:digrease, in powder, five ounces; vinegar, eight ounces; trea cle, twelve ounces; mixed altogether and boiled over a slow fire, to the consistence of honey.
Last in order of the diseases of the foot, though perhaps first in point of importance, we place what has been unwittingly named '' the dis ease:" by which is meant the navicular-joint dis ease; and under this denomination we shall describe it. For many a year have we passed off groggy horses as lame from contraction or disease in the coffin-joint: whereas, Mr. Turner (who has very recently published on the subject, in that useful and interesting journal, the has shown to demonstration to us that the disease—the cause of not to be sought in the coffin, but in the navicular joint; and that it consists in inflammation and ulceration of the synovial mem brane covering the inferior surface of the navicular bone, and the opponent part of the long flexor ten don. Mr. Turner (to whose Paper on the subject
we must refer our reader for further particulars) conceives that the disease originates in contraction; not of that kind which consists in narrowing of the hoof, but such as is commonly described by the phrase " from below upwards:" meaning, a dimi nution in the cavity of the hoof in the vertical (not the lateral) line of direction. We cannot, however, subscribe to this opinion. We, for our own part, look upon it. as the effect of concussion; and would rather regard contraction as, ordinarily, the effect, and not the cause of the malady in the joint. In re gard to the symptoms denoting such disease, they may be comprehended under the phrase " groggi ness" of one or both feet, and no apparent cause for lameness: and in regard to treatment, that is to be conducted on the principles of inflammation in ge neral; viz. local bleeding and blistering; cold appli cations; rest; purgation, &c. At least such is the old mode of procedure; and it is one which the dis covery of the seat and nature of the disease has gone far to confirm.
Having, with this, concluded the local maladies, we shall proceed to the Among which we may rank Strangles, Mange, Internal Inflammation of the Eyes, Farcy, and Glan ders.