DISEASES OF CATTLE 461 



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

 one end of the stick uncovered. 



Moisten the uncovered end slightly and rub it on the horn but- 

 tons or little points which 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 with 

 the surrounding skin it will cause pain. Be very careful also not to 

 have too much moisture on the stick of caustic, as it will remove the 

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

 calf 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 care- 

 fully avoided. 



Either caustic soda or caustic potash alone, without the admix- 

 ture of other substances, answers the purpose satisfactorily. Some 

 years ago, however, certain preparations or "dehorning compounds," 

 composed largely of one or the other of these caustics, were gen- 

 erally used, and as inquiries are still occasionally received concern- 

 ing such preparations, the following formula is given : Combine in 

 an emulsion 50 per cent of caustic soda, 25 per cent of kerosene, and 

 25 per cent of water. The caustic soda is dissolved in the water and 

 heated to the boiling point, then removed from the fire, and the kero- 

 sene added gradually, while the mixture is vigorously stirred. This 

 emulsion is applied in very much the same manner as the stick caus- 

 tic, except that it is necessary to employ a short, stiff brush. Some- 

 times a meat skewer is used, the large end being mashed to form a 

 stubby brush. Two or three applications should be made to each 

 horn button, as in the case of the stick caustic, with intervals to allow 

 it to dry. 



In the very young calf the horn button, or point that will ulti- 

 mately develop into a horn, has scarcely any attachment to the skull, 

 and may be felt as a small button embedded in the skin. In this 

 early stage it may be easily removed with a sharp knife or a pair of 

 curved scissors, but even then caustics should be applied to kill any 

 remaining cell life belonging to this germ point ; otherwise there may 

 be some subsequent irregular horn growth, which is more or less of 

 a disfigurement. 



BLEEDING (BLOOD-LETTING) . 



Although nowadays this operation has fortunately -become less 

 frequent than when it was generally considered the panacea for all 

 ills, there are beyond doubt some cases in w r hich the operation is ad- 

 mittedly the quickest and surest means of affording relief. 



In cattle the operation is usually performed on the left jugular 

 vein, which is large and is easily rendered so prominent as to prevent 

 the possibility of mistake by tying a cord around the neck below the 

 place where the incision is to be made. The rope should be tied in 

 a slip knot, so as to admit of its being easily undone, or a rope used 

 with a loop at one end and a series of good-sized knots at the other, 

 the loop and knots to be used as buttons and button holes. The 

 proper instrument to use is a large-bladed fleam. After the animal 



