AMPUTATION OP THE CLAWS IN OXEN. 



1107 



membrane. With a knife of opposite curvature the incision A, D 

 is made, extending to the navicular bone. The claw is then dis- 

 articulated by plunging the knife into and through the joint and 

 dividing the strong lateral ligament, &c, of the opposite side. The 

 disarticulated portion is then removed by a straight cut, D, E. 



From this point the procedure is similar in all cases. 



After completely dividing the claw at the joint, loose or necrotic 

 pieces of tissue are removed with scissors or knife. Any undermined 

 parts and granulations are thoroughly disinfected, the articular carti- 



FlG. 583. — Disarticulation of the ox's claw. Primary incision. 



lage scraped away from the coronet bone with a curette so 

 as to produce a better granulating surface, the operation wound 

 covered with a tampon soaked in tar, and a dressing extending above 

 the fetlock -joint applied over all. The turns of the bandage are sewn 

 together to keep the whole firm, and plenty of tar applied. This 

 dressing is left in position for eight to ten days. On renewing it, 

 granulations are generally discovered without suppuration having 

 occurred. Recovery takes four to six weeks, the stump being covered 

 by horn, secreted partly by the remaining portions of the coronary 

 band, but chiefly by the bulbs of the heel. This growth is so perfect 

 that animals may even be again turned out to grass. 



