304 The Care of Animals 



There is inflammation, soreness, swelling and lame- 

 ness. The toes spread apart, and the animal lies down 

 more than usual, to relieve the feet. A small abscess 

 may form, and a "core" slough out. In most cases, 

 the tissues crack in the cleft between the toes, and a 

 chronic indolent sore results that is difficult to heal. 

 Chronic cases are liable to recur after they are appar- 

 ently healed. 



Poultice for twelv^e hours, clean thoroughly and keep 

 clean and dry. In recent cases, the cleft may be cleaned 

 by drawing a rope through it. Then apply a liquid 

 antiseptic : white lotion, a five per cent solution of 

 carbolic acid, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol) one 

 ounce to a pint of water. Pure turpentine is also good. 

 Following the antiseptic, powdered air- slaked lime, or 

 calomel, may be dusted into the cleft to dry up the 

 discharge. In severe and chronic cases, it is necessary 

 to burn out the sore with a stick of lunar caustic or 

 chlorid ("butter") of antimony applied with a swab 

 after poulticing. Then treat as a recent case. 



TUMOR'S OF THE SKIN 



Warts are tumors of the skin. They may be found 

 on any of the domestic animals, but are most frequent 

 on horses and cattle. Their cause is not known, al- 

 though an abnormal nutrition of the skin is the common 

 explanation. 



In their early stages, warts can be destroyed by a 

 solution of pure acetic acid, applying it drop by drop 

 until the wart is saturated and soft. In a week or 



