58 



deficiency of pasture or to excessive heat, causes which were in operation through- 

 out the whole experiment. No part of this loss can, therefore, with certainty, be 

 attributed to the operation of dehorning. 



The appetite of the cows was not at any time interfered with. 



The degree of fever, indicated by the thermometer, showed in one case a rise 

 of temperature to 105° F. The normal temperature of cattle (taken in the 

 rectum) may be placed at 102° F. 



Although these experiments were conducted in the tiy season, and therefore 

 under unfavorable conditions, the results show that amputation of the horns, 

 either in calves or grown animals, is followed by only slight constitutional dis- 

 turbance 



So far as has yet been observed removal of the horns has no effect in deteri- 

 orating the quality of the milk. 



From our analyses it is seen that the butter producing elements of the milk 

 are not diminished while the cows are suffering from the effects of the operation, 

 and it is even less likely that this should occur after they have recovered. 



The practice of dehorning, however, is always open to the charge of cruelty, 

 and on this account is not likely to ever become general. 



The operation on calves is less objectionable in this respect, and should 

 always be preferred to the more serious and painful operation on older animals. 



It is best performed when the calves are from three to seven or eight weeks 

 old, soon after the horn shows itself above the skin. Removal of the small mov- 

 able button of horn is not sufficient to prevent further growth, but part of the 

 soft, spongy bone beneath should also be removed The circular gouge before 

 mentioned is the only instrument necessary. By a rotatory movement the skin 

 is cut down to the bone around the base of the horn, and hy depressing the hand 

 and slight lateral motion the bone is easily removed for a sufficient depth. 



The skull wall is, at this age, solid at the base of the horn and very thick, 

 soft osseous tissue filling up the space which afterwards, by absorption, becomes 

 part of the frontal sinus. Bleeding usually ceases spontaneously ; if excessive, it 

 may be controlled by cold water or pressure by pad held in place by a bandage. 



The only after treatment is to keep the part clean by occasional w T ashing 

 with an antiseptic solution, such as carbolic acid, one part to fifty of water. 



Dehorning, after the fourth or fifth month must be done by the saw, as the 

 horns are then usually too large to admit the use of the gouge. 



The method of restraint found to be most satisfactory in these experiments 

 was by the use of a stanchion constructed in the usual manner, the neck being 

 imprisoned between two vertical pieces of two by four scantling. In order to 

 restrain the movements of the head the end of a long § inch rope was converted 

 into a halter. This is done by making a small loop on the end of the rope. After 

 laying this over the neck just behind the ears, the rope is doubled about three 

 feet from its end and the doubled portion passed through the loop from behind 

 forwards and drawn tight over the nose. The head was then drawn close to the 

 second upright of the stanchion on the right to which the rope was fastened by 

 several turns around it, the remainder being carried over the neck and secured to 

 the second upright on the left. 



By this means, although the head was not absolutely fixed, sufficient steadi- 

 ness was obtained to allow free -working to the saw on both sides. 



