LOSS OF THE CLAW. 1113 



its ordinary thickness. The proliferating tissue contains little yellow 

 points or yellowish -red granulations. 



The exact cause of this disease seems still open to discussion, 

 though it closely resembles onychia maligna in man. In some cases 

 herpes or eczema of the neighbouring skin had extended to the matrix 

 of the claw, but in others no cause whatever could be discovered. 

 Kutzner has shown that the disease is not due to want of cleanliness. 

 If of tens attacks several feet, generally affecting the dew-claws, so 

 that it might be viewed as due to disturbance of nutrition. Large 

 dogs in the prime of life are the commonest subjects. It is most 

 frequently seen in autumn and winter in dogs which live near the 

 seaside and often go into the water. Prick reports the disease as quite 

 common in Hanover ; he treats it by operation. Rabe states that 

 it is due to a microbe, the Cladothrix canis. 



The animal walks with a short, painful step, lies down a great 

 deal, and has difficulty in standing. Local examination soon shows 

 the character of the disease. At first the " coronet " is only reddened 

 and swollen, but exudation soon occurs, and after some time small, 

 bluish, prominent spots develop, which later suppurate and may 

 lead to sinus formation. The disease often persists, with remissions 

 and exacerbations, for a long time, gradually extending to the deeper- 

 seated tissues. 



As a rule, the process cannot be checked, but leads to complete 

 loss of the claw, though Frick has had occasional success by early 

 injection of iodine tincture into the coronary band, and therefore 

 the prognosis principally depends on the number of diseased claws. 

 Where confined to single claws, amputation at the last joint offers 

 the most satisfactory results, otherwise the loose claw should be 

 removed, the matrix cleansed and disinfected, smeared with tar 

 or other disinfectant, and a bandage applied. Kutzbach recommends 

 liquor arsenicalis internally, and locally pencilling with nitrate of 

 silver. Attempts to save the diseased claw generally fail. In this 

 respect the condition shows a great resemblance to canker and certain 

 forms of chronic laminitis in horses. Unlike canker, however, it 

 shows no tendency to produce vegetations from the matrix of the 

 claw. 



II.— BRUISES AND WOUNDS OF THE PADS OF THE SOLE AND TOE. 



The carpal-pads of carnivora do not touch the ground during 

 movement, and the body- weight is sustained by those of the sole and 

 toes. Continued exercise on rough, hard ground may wear these 



