28o 



671. Horn Overgrowths and Injuries. — The horns sometimes 

 turn and curve in so much, that the overgrown points press tightly on 

 the forehead, giving the animal so much pain that it ceases to feed 

 and thrive. Such cases must be attended to, and if necessary, the 

 surplus horn must be removed with a saw. Again, the horns 

 sometimes stand out with very sharp ends, in which case the points 

 have to be cut off with the saw, or protected with wooden balls, to 

 prevent the goring and wounding of other animals. When the horns 

 are very large, it is found necessary to remove them by an operation 

 termed "dishorning;" an operation regarded by many as very 

 objectionable, and looked upon as cruel, but it is not more cruel than 

 to leave them on, and thus enable the larger animals to attack and 

 wound their smaller and weaker companions. As the horn is non- 

 sensitive, and the horn core nearly so, as well as being hollow, there 

 is very little pain accompanying the operation. Occasionally a cow 

 may become fixed by the horn, and in endeavouring toiiberate itself, 

 the horn may be stripped off, without injuring the horn core ; when 

 this happens, the parts must be dressed with carbolic oil and tow or 

 cotton wool, and above this should be a layer of tar and tow, all being 

 secured with a light bandage which should be fastened to the other horn. 

 When the horn and horn core are fractured, the rough projections and 

 broken fragments of bone must be removed, and sawn level, the 

 bleeding stopped with a hot iron, and the parts dressed as above. 



672. Abscesses are at times met with in the cavities of the horn, 

 arising from an injury done lo the parts, and causing extreme 

 constitutional disturbance. The animal breathes quickly and pants, 

 the eyes are injected, perspiration rolls off the body, and tlie pulse is 

 full and bounding. The most noticeable symptom is that the animal 

 holds the head low, and to one side, giving it an occasional shake ; if 

 pressure be put on the root oi the horn, the animal may bellow out, 

 and fall over on to its side, as if in a fit, rolling its eyes, and breathing 

 in a heavy and spasmodic manner. Treatment — Bore into the base 

 of the horn with a small trephine or a -J-inch gimlet, and after the pus 

 has been liberated, roll cold water bandages round the horn, keeping 

 them constantly moist, and at the same time administer a good dose 

 of purgative medicine. 



