756 



DISEASES OF THE TAIL. 



sometimes start from the skin, sometimes from the vertebrae of the 

 tail, and produce ulceration, or they extend to the perineal connective 

 tissue, and lead to obstruction of the bowel. 



Fig. 455. 



Diagnosis is easy, but it is otherwise with treatment. Superficial 

 tumours, that is, those having their seat in the skin, may easily be 



removed with the knife, but if they rise from the vertebrae ampu- 

 tation of the tail is the sole resource. Caudal botryomycosis when 

 occurring at the end of the tail may be successfully arrested by 

 amputation ; but when the disease attacks the base, though 

 operation may be attempted, treatment by local applications of 



