490 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Prevention is sought by applying a lotion of carbolic acid or iodine 
solution to the navel string at birth, or it may be smeared with common 
wood tar, which is at once antiseptic and a protective covering against 
germs. In the absence of either a strong decoction of tea of oak bark may 
be used. 
Local Treatment consists in the application of antiseptics to the surface 
and their injection into the vein. As a lotion use carbolic acid, 1 ounce 
in a quart of strong decoction of oak bark, or salicylic acid or salol may 
be sprinkled on the surface. The interior of the vein should be swabbed 
out with a probe wrapped around with cotton wool and dipped in boracic 
or salicylic acid. 
If complications have extended to the liver or other internal organs, 
or the joints, other treatment will be demanded. In acute cases of gen- 
eral infection an early fatal result is to be expected. 
PYEMIC AND SEPTICEMIC INFLAMMATION OF JOINTS IN CALVES ( JOINT-ILL). 
This occurs in young calves within the first months after birth; it per- 
sists in the joints when once attacked, and is usually connected with dis- 
ease of the navel. Rheumatism, on the other hand, rarely occurs in a 
calf under a month old. It tends to shift from joint to joint and is inde- 
pendent of any navel disease. Rheumatism, again, affects the fibrous 
structures of the joints, and rarely results in the formation of white 
matter, while the affection before named attacks the structures outside as 
well as inside the joints and, above all, the ends of the bones, and tends 
to the destruction and crumbling of their tissue and even to the forma- 
tion of open sores, through which the fragile bones are exposed. The 
microbes from the unhealthy and infected wound in the navel pass into 
the system through the veins, or lymphatics, and form colonies and local 
inflammations and abscesses in and around the joints. 
Symptoms. — The symptoms are swelling of one or more joints, which 
are very hot and tender. The calf is stiff and lame, lies down constantly, 
and cares not to suck. There is very high fever and accelerated breath- 
ing and pulse, and there is swelling and purulent discharge (often fetid) 
from the navel. There may be added symptoms of disease of the liver, 
lungs, heart, or bowels, on which we need not here delay. The imptorant 
point is to determine the condition of the navel in all such cases of dis- 
eased and swollen joints beginning in the first month of life, and in all 
cases of general stiffness, for besides the diseases of the internal organs 
there may be abscesses formed among the muscles of the trunk, though 
the joints appear sound. Cases of this kind, if they do not speedily die, 
tend to become emaciated and perish later in a state of w^eakness and 
exhaustion. 
Prevention. — Prevention must begin with the purity of the buildings 
and the navel, as noted in the last article. 
Treatment. — Treatment is in the main antiseptic. The slighter forms 
may be painted daily with tincture of iodine; or an ointment of biniodid 
of mercury (1 dram) and lard (2 ounces) may be rubbed on the affected 
joints daily until they are blistered. In case of swellings containing 
matter this may be drawn off through the nozzle of a hypodermic syringe 
and the following solution injected: Compound tincture of iodine, 1 
