1360 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



ness of an ordinary lead pencil and 5 inches long. These caustics must 

 b«B handled with care, as they dissolve the cuticle and may make the hands 

 or fingers sore. The preparation of the calf consists in first clipping the 

 hair from the parts, washing clean with soap and warm water, and thor- 

 oughly drying with a cloth or towel. The stick of caustic should be 

 wrapped in a piece of paper to protect the hands and fingers, leaving one 

 end of the stick uncovered. 



IV. Applying the Caustics. 



Moisten the uncovered end slightly and rub it on the horn buttons or 

 little points w^hich may be felt on the calf's head, first on one and then 

 the other, alternately, two or three times on each, allowing the caustic to 

 dry after each application. Be very careful to apply the caustic to the 

 horn button only. If it is brought in contact wdth the surrounding skin 

 it wall cause pain. Be very careful also not to have too much moisture on 

 the stick of caustic, as it will excoriate the skin and make the parts sore 

 if allowed to run down over the face. After treatment keep the animal 

 protected from rain, as water on the head after the application of caustic 

 will cause it to run down over the face. This must be carefully avoided. 



V. Age When Caustics are Not Effective. 



When a calf is three or four weeks old the caustics or caustic prepara- 

 tions are of little or no use. The horns on animals of this age can be re- 

 moved by one cut of a good sharp pocket knife, but when the treatment 

 is delayed to this age there is considerable hemorrhage as the result of 

 cutting the starting horns, which would be entirely avoided if the animals 

 are treated with one of the caustics at the earlier age above indicated. 



SAND IN HORSES. 



This disease pertains to a sandy country and is caused by the horse 

 pulling up by the roots grass and other plants in grazing, and thus swal- 

 lowing a small amount of sand. The sand is indigestible and, being 

 heavy, settles in the lower portion of the stomach and becomes impacted. 

 It is also aggravated by drinking in shallow water. When the w^ater is 

 muddy it includes sand, which is precipitated while in the stomach. 



Prevention: Do not allow stock to drink in very shallow places or 

 water that has been disturbed to the extent of becoming muddy. Use 

 troughs in the absence of clear water of proper depth. Harden down the 

 pasture by using special grasses to bind the sand, and pack it by rolling. 



What to do: Pollard (shorts) gruel used as feed is beneficial in 

 helping to remove sand, but not reliably effective because of the weight of 

 the sand and its compactness in the stomach. Tn its early stages turn the 

 animal on his back and massage the belly. Another treatment consists of 

 giving frequent doses of very strong coffee. 



