1102 DISEASES OF THE CLAWS IN CATTLE AND SHEEP. 



and even becomes enzootic, while outbreaks are favoured both by 

 neglect of cleanliness in the stalls and by travelling on hard ground. 

 Schleg noted inflammation of the interdigital skin, which often led to 

 necrosis in cows at grass during the autumn. Of twenty-eight animals 

 which stood together, eight were attacked, whilst those standing 

 on the other side of the stable entirely escaped. The exact cause 

 of panaritium is yet unrecognised. According to Bang the disease 

 is not caused by a specific agent, but by ordinary pyogenic organisms 

 which have acquired a special virulence. Fliigge's bacillus of necrosis 

 is very often present, but it cannot with certainty be regarded as 

 the sole causative agent. 



(1) Panaris of the toe develops at the front of the interdigital 

 space. An inflammatory swelling appears, without any visible 

 external injury, involves the coronet and skin of the interdigital 

 space, and may extend beyond. The condition consists of cellulitis 

 of the cutis and subcutis, accompanied by necrosis, and may therefore 

 be described as panaritium subcutaneum. 



Inflammation often attacks the connective and adipose tissue 

 lying above the interdigital space, and the tendons and ligaments 

 of the pedal and coronet bones. The symptoms are then very severe ; 

 the swelling, redness, and pain are greater, scarcely any weight is 

 placed on the foot, the swelling extends further backwards and down- 

 wards over the skin of the interdigital space, and fever, loss of appetite, 

 stoppage of milk secretion, and general wasting ensue. The skin 

 becomes necrotic, or an aperture forms, from which ichorous pus is 

 discharged in large quantities. The symptoms then moderate, 

 and recovery follows in about three weeks under appropriate treatment. 

 This process might be described as panaritium profundum. 



But if such an attack be improperly treated, or the infective 

 material be particularly virulent, necrosis may extend to the coronet 

 or pedal bone, or to one or other of the joints, and septic arthritis 

 develop. Immediately a joint is attacked, the swelling extends to the 

 cannon bone, though in disease of the pedal-joint, swelling is greatest 

 around the interdigital space. The patient shows high fever, and 

 the same symptoms as in panaritium profundum, but in an aggravated 

 degree. 



(2) Interdigital panaris consists in infective inflammation of the 

 skin and deeper structures connecting the two claws, especially of 

 the fatty tissue, which is so abundant in this region. It occurs oftenest 

 when the claws are excessively separated, and when the oxen are 

 worked, both of which conditions favour injury and infection of the 

 interdigital skin. The skin between the two claws appears swollen, 



