432 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



Clinical History. Circumstances connected with the origin of 

 the tumor and its rapidity of growth may point to an inflammatory 

 swelling rather than a tumor. The location of the tumor at its com- 

 mencement is important, as, for instance, in diagnosing between 

 lipoma and carcinoma, the former being more or less movable under 

 the skin, while a carcinoma develops in the skin. While tenderness 

 on pressure may be caused by compression of a sensitive nerve by a 

 tumor or by tumors of the nerve or nerve sheaths, as a rule this 

 symptom is indicative of inflammatory swelling rather than the ex- 

 istence of a tumor. 



Direct Examination of the Tumor. In the application of this 

 diagnosis the trained observer will note color, size, shape, and surface 

 structure, transmission of light, movableness, consistence, resistance, 

 pulsation, and crepitation. Percussion, auscultation, and exploration 

 are also available methods. Finally, microscopic examination of the 

 growing portions of the tumor by a pathologist will be found most 

 satisfactory. 



GENERAL TREATMENT OF TUMORS. 



For benign tumors treatment is required only when it damages 

 the animal's value or when merely for sake of appearance. When it 

 is possible, the removal of the tumor by an operation is indicated. If 

 the tumor has a small constricted base, remove by tortion, ligation, or 

 with an ecraseur. Ligation following the incision of the skin with a 

 knife avoids the pain of pressing on the sensitive nerves of the skin 

 and is suitable for tumors of broad base and small bodies. A firing 

 iron, such as is used in line or feather firing, may also be used in 

 removing tumors with small attachments. This not only stops the 

 bleeding, but forms a firm scab under which healing may occur rap- 

 idly. Those tumors that can not be removed by the above methods 

 may be treated with caustics or acids, such as sulphuric acid, hydro- 

 chloric acid, caustic potash, arsenic, silver nitrate, or chromic acid, 

 but it is difficult to limit the action of these drugs. The injection into 

 the tumor of certain chemicals, such as analine dyes, alcohol, acetic 

 acid, citric acid, or ergotine is of doubtful value, as is also the injec- 

 tion of the germs of erysipelas thought by some to be a specific. Cer- 

 tain specific tumors, such as actinomycosis and botryomycosis, may 

 be successfully treated by the internal administration of potassium 

 iodid, together with the injection into the tumor or the painting of 

 its surface with Lugol's solution or the tincture of iodin. The most 

 reliable means of treating tumors is by extirpation with cutting in- 

 struments. Dissect the tumor from the surrounding tissue, ligating 

 all the larger blood vessels, and tearing the tissues with the fingers 

 rather than cutting with a knife. The bleeding may be stopped with 

 a hot iron. The after-treatment is the same as for any ordinary 

 wound of similar size. 



BONES: DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 



Some knowledge of the skeleton is advisable to facilitate the 

 study of diseases of bones and the accidental injuries to which they 



