32 CONTUSIONS OF THE SOLE. 



Lameness is the first symptom to attract attention. It is slightly 

 marked, unless the bruising has been overlooked until suppuration has 

 set in. It affects only one or two limbs, and is rarely accompanied by 

 general disturbance, such as loss of appetite, fever, exhaustion during 

 work, etc. 



Locally the claw or claw^s affected are abnormally sensitive to per- 

 cussion of the wall, and particularly to compression of the sole. 



The parts are hot to the hand; and thinning the sole with a knife shows 

 little perforations, irregular points and crevices in the horn. One 

 may also find softening, infiltration and haemorrhage within the horn 

 similar to those of corn in the horse, undermining of the sole over 

 limited areas, and sometimes suppuration, if the animals have been 

 forced to work when lame. 



Complications like necrosis of the velvety tissue or of the bone, though 

 comparatively common in the horse, are rare in oxen. 



Diagnosis is not difficult provided the history of the case is known. 

 Confusion with laminitis is scarcely possible, for the gait of this lameness 

 and the local symptoms are all different. Examination of the sole will 

 usually dispel any remaining doubt. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is favourable. When the horn is simply 

 softened and a blackish liquid transudes, the lesion is trifling; if the 

 discharge is reddish grey the lesion is graver, and implicates all the 

 velvety tissue; finally, separation of the horn from the secreting 

 membrane and the discharge of true pus point to death of the 

 keratogenous tissue or of the bone. 



Treatment should be commenced by carefully thinning the sole 

 around the wound and applying moist antiseptic dressings or cold 

 affusions. Eemoval of loose portions of horn hastens repair by allowing 

 discharge, which has accumulated between the living tissues and the horn 

 itself, to escape freely. The extirpation of necrotic tissue and the appli- 

 cation of surgical dressings are only called for in specially grave cases. 



This treatment usually gives good results. The acute complications 

 which are so common and so dangerous in the horse seldom occur in 

 the ox. 



Most of these operations can be performed without casting, provided 

 the animal is placed in a trevis or is sufficiently secured. 



LAMINITIS. 

 Laminitis is characterised by congestion, followed by inflam- 

 mation of the horn- secreting tissues of the foot. It is now rare in 

 oxen and very seldom assumes an acute form. The slow pace at which 

 animals of the bovine species move may sufficiently explain this rarity ; 



