Canker has hitherto been reckoned an intractable disorder. It is mostly seen in heavy horses, with weak, flat feet. These creatures proverbially receive but little grooming. They are esteemed only for their labor, and honored with small attention, which does not decidedly fit them for their work. Their stables are seldom to be cited as examples of what a horse's home should be. Their beds are never too clean; and a number of foul disorders, as thrush, grease, etc., are located among them. Their food is generally measured by the scale of profit and loss; for few cart-horses, in the generality of establishments, can boast of any extraordinary care being lavished on their comfort.
For the treatment of canker, the first thing is to attend to the stable. See that the building is lofty and well drained; that the ventilation is perfect, and the bedding unexceptionable. Then inspect the water, the oats, and the hay. Allow the horse a liberal support, and with each feed of oats mingle a handful of old beans. These things being arranged, order the animal into the forge. Cut away every portion of detached horn. When that is done, pare off carefully so much of the soft, diseased horn as the knife can readily separate. Then apply a dressing of the following strength to the diseased parts:—
| Chloride of zinc | Half an ounce. |
| Common flour | Four ounces. |
| Mix, and apply dry on the foot. | |
To the sound parts use—
| Chloride of zinc | Four grains. |
| Flour | One ounce. |
Cover over the sound parts before you begin to dress the fungoid granulations.
Afterward tack on the shoe. Pad well, so as to obtain all the pressure possible; and fasten the padding on the foot by means of cross pieces of iron driven firmly under the shoe. Let the horse be carefully groomed, and receive four hours' exercise daily.
On the second day remove the padding. Cut off so much of the granulations as appear to be in a sloughing condition. Repeat the dressing, and continue examining and redressing the foot every second day. When some places appear to be in a state of confirmed health, an application of the following strength should be employed to such parts; but where the granulations continue to sprout, or the horn appears to be of a doubtful character, the caustic mixtures of the original strength must be used:—
| Chloride of zinc | Two grains. |
| Flour | One ounce. |