860 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OP THE OX. 



also the horns drop off. There is indeed an intimate connection 

 between the bone of each horn and the corresponding frontal 

 sinus of that side of the head. The projection of bone, which 

 springs from the crest of the frontal bone, and forms the basis 

 or core of the horn, is hollow, and the cavity within it is con- 

 tinuous with the cavity known as the frontal sinus. The interior 

 of this bony core of the horn is provided with an extensive 

 supply of blood by means of blood-vessels which are connected 

 with those of the frontal bones ; consequently the inflammatory 

 process which is going on in the blood-vessels of the frontal 

 bones extends itself to those which are present within the core, 

 and from them to the surface of this bony basis of the horn. 

 Inflammation leads to suppuration, and thereby the detachment 

 of the horns is brought about. 



The disease, which is of a very fatal character, causing death 

 in from three to seven days, is said to be non-contagious, and 

 to result from inflammation coming on as a consequence of 

 exposure to cold. The animals which are attacked by the 

 disease should at once be removed to warm sheds, wherein they 

 are to be tended with every care. The veterinary attendant 

 should be called in, and he will probably proceed to take 

 measures to open the bowels gently by the aid of enemas, or 

 such simple aperients as oil or treacle. In the early stages 

 either stimulants, such as the carbonate of ammonium, or the 

 acetate of ammonium, or spirit of nitrous ether, are required. 

 Moreover, it is well to cause the animal occasionally to inhale 

 the steam from boiling water, to which oil of eucalyptus or 

 carbolic acid has been added in small proportion. If the patient 

 survives seven days, it will probably gradually recover, and the 

 best remedial agents will consist in tonics, good food, and 

 studious attention to the animal's general wants during the 

 stage of convalescence. 



Purpura Hemorrhagica. 

 This malady, which is not so commonly met with in cattle as 

 in the horse, and is more liable to affect calves than older oxen, 

 is probably likewise not contagious in its nature. It has been 

 considered to be allied to anthrax, which disease it simulates in 

 many points, though, so far as is yet known, not in the most 

 important of all, viz. the presence of bacilli in the blood. So 



