178 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



shown in Fig. 59. The heel portion of the wall is directed 

 acutely downward and forward, and, as this is not worn 

 away by the idle animal, the superposed weight bends the 

 free margin forward and inward until it lies flat against 

 the sole, and continues to grow forward until the posterior, 

 or heel wall finally reaches the toe, completely covering the 

 sole. The bull then walks upon the elongated heel wall, be- 

 tween which and the sole is a space, opening at the toe, in 

 which gravel, dirt, etc., become impacted. Then follows un- 

 equal pressure (by gravel, etc.) upon the sole, contusions 

 of the sensitive parts, pressure necrosis, and other lesions. 

 The bull soon becomes lame, and, unless the difficulty is 

 promptly recognized, may be crippled permanently. Fre- 

 quently I have seen bulls rendered incapable of copulation 

 from this cause. The condition is best prevented by care- 

 fully trimming the feet of all breeding bulls kept in stan- 

 chions or stalls, at least twice annually. Once the difficulty 

 has become established, the walls are permanently deformed 

 and constantly turn in. Then the trouble can be palliated 

 only by the frequent trimming of the feet and by keeping 

 the bull well bedded on a clay or board floor. Stone, con- 

 crete and gravel floors should be avoided. 



The trimming of the feet may generally be accomplished 

 with hoof-cutting pincers, with the animal standing. When 

 the bull is secured in a stanchion, two strong men can gen- 

 erally hold up one of his hind feet and extend it backward 

 while the operator trims it. The men should take a stout, 

 smooth beam, preferably a round piece about six feet long, 

 pass it between the hind legs in front of the tarsus of the 

 foot to be raised, and, firmly grasping each end of the beam, 

 lift it upward and draw it sharply backward, so that the 

 flexure of the hock rests upon the middle of the beam. 

 Most animals will struggle but little and the trimming of 

 the hoof can be performed readily. If the animal is too re- 

 sistant, he should be cast and secured the same as already 

 recommended for examining the penis. 



Painful diseases of the posterior feet and limbs occa- 

 sionally render a male incompetent or unwilling to mount 



