DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 



337 



in the same herd become affected, Avhich has led some to think that 

 the disease may be contagious. Occurrences have been reported in 

 which foot rot of cattle has appeared within a short time among 

 a large proportion of the cattle in a farming district. This disease 

 is most frequently seen in the hind feet, though all four feet may 

 become affected. 



Symptoms. — The animal is observed to limp. On examination of 

 the foot we discover heat and swelling above the hoof and of the 

 soft parts between the claws which frequently spreads the claws apart 

 to a considerable extent, or the inflammation may have advanced to 

 softening and sloughing of the interdigital membrane. If the disease 

 is neglected at this stage, deep abscesses may form and the pus bur- 

 row under the horny wall, or the joint within the hoof may become 

 inflamed and the articular attachments destroyed, in which case the 

 treatment will be difficult and recovery will be very tedious. 



Treatment. — In the earlier stages of the disease, before pus burrows 

 beneath the horn, a thorough cleansing and an application of a car- 

 bolic-acid solution — 1 ounce to a pint of water — clean stabling, and 

 laxative food will usually remedy the evil. Compound solution of 

 cresol is an excellent remedy at this stage. It should be applied, in 

 its pure or undiluted state, to the suppurating and putrefying tissue 

 between the claws. It is best applied by means of a cotton swab on a 

 thin stick. Care must be taken to keep it from contact with the skin 

 about the coronary band or heels. If deep sloughing has taken place 

 the carbolic solution should be used, and a wad of oakum or cot- 

 ton smeared with pine tar should be secured firmly in the cleft. This 

 can be done by taking a strip of strong cloth, 2 inches wide, passing 

 the middle between the claws, then tying the ends after winding them 

 in opposite directions above the hoof. Sometimes warm poulticing 

 with flaxseed meal or bran is necessary to relieve excessive fever and 

 pain. If the pus burrows under the horn, its channel must be fol- 

 lowed by paring away the horn until the bottom is reached. The 

 aftertreatment is the same a's that already recommended. If the 

 joint becomes diseased an amputation of that toe is the quickest and 

 surest method to relieve the suffering of the animal, and offers the 

 best chance for an early recovery. 



ULCERATION OF THE HEEL. 



Occasionally we find ulcers at the junction of the hair with the 

 hoof at the heel, which present an elevated, raw, or ragged surface, 

 and cause considerable lameness. This is generally caused by a bruise 

 of the fibrous cushion of the back part of the foot. Subsequent 

 sloughing or necrosis may occur, or pus may form deep within the 

 wall and gain an exit at the margin of the heel. Sometimes, from 

 no visible cause, large pieces of skin slough from the heel and j^astern. 

 54793°— 23 22 



