462 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



tween the claws of the hoof, or occasionally from one claw only, 

 in which cases, cattle are commonly said to be foul in the foot. 

 This disease is usually distinguished amongst graziers by the 

 names of the soft, and the horny foul, and requires different 

 modes of treatment. In the soft fouls, there is a running of 

 very offensive matter from the heels, or between the claws of 

 the hoof, and the animal is exceeding lame. In this case, the 

 treatment consists in cutting away all the soft and -spongy parts, 

 and afterwards applying a caustic liquid. The parts should then 

 be covered with a little mild ointment; or, (as farmers frequently 

 do,) wrap a piece of fat bacon around the part, tie it on the foot, 

 and let it remain for two or three days. In the meantime, the 

 animal should stand very clean, and be allowed as much rest as 

 possible. 



In the horny fonts, the animal appears very lame, and, on an 

 examination of the foot, the hoof feels very hot, and on pressing 

 it hard, the animal feels considerable pain. Some part of the 

 horn generally penetrates into the softer parts of the foot, either 

 at the heel, or between the hoofs. In undertsiking the cure, it 

 will be requisite to cut away these parts of the horn, as well as 

 any other part under which much inflammation is apparent. If 

 it should be necessary to cast the animal, particular care should 

 be taken in selecting a soft place for the purpose of throwing 

 him on. When the hoof is pared away, a rag moistened with 

 vinegar and water, should be tied on, and the animal sent to 

 graze on some soft ground. Should the inflammation and pain 

 be very great, it may probably be requisite to bleed from the 

 veins of the foot. 



COWS PREVIOUS TO CALVING. 



"The diseases," observes Mr. White, "which most commonly 

 occur at this time, are stranguary, or difficulty in voiding urine, 

 and costiveness; and these it is highly necessary to attend to, as 

 they may, if neglected, be the cause of the cow slipping her 

 calf. The stranguary is readily known to exist, by the cow 

 making frequent attempts to stale, without being able to void 

 any urine, or only a small quantity. When it is accompanied by 

 costiveness, which is generally the case, and js often the cause of 

 the complaint, the bowels must be opened by a laxative, com- 

 posed of a pound of Epsom salts, dissolved in a quart of gruel ; 



