CANKER (Lat. cancer, cancer). A disease affecting the hoof of a horse. An obstinate in flammation of the frog and sole of the foot of the horse maw follow an attack of thrush. This malady occurs in two different forms— in the acute .tags, 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 eommenees by dis charge from the heels or the cleft of the frog of the hor,e's foot. The horn becomes soft and disintegrated, the vascular structures beneath become inflamed, and the pain which the animal endures is severe, making it very lance. Though there is no constitutional fever, the horse be comes emaciated and unfit for work. Airing Wet weather, and on damn soil. the ,vmntoms increase in severity. The sore structures bleed on the least touch, and considerable fungoid granulations, emmnonly called proud flesh. form
rapidly. Dirt, cold, and wet favor the produc tion of the disease, and there is always a ten dency to relapse when once an animal has been affected.
Treatment.—Pare away detached portions of horn, and, in mild eases, sprinkle powdered ace tate of copper over the sore; apply over this pledgets of tow, fixed over the foot, by strips of iron or wood passed between shoe and foot. In severe cases, tar and nitric acid, creosote and turpentine, chloride of zine paste. and other ac tive caustics have to be used for a time, with the regular employment of pressure on the diseased surface. The animal requires to be treated con stitutionally by periodical purgatives and altera tive,. Good food, fresh air, and exercise often aid much in the treatment of the disease.