220 SURGICAL DISEASES 



or stub of bom develops. It is usually unnecessary to apply 

 auytbing to tbe wound. If tbe animal does not strike or rub 

 the part, the clot that forms closes the blood-vessels and the 

 hemorrhage stops. In case of hemorrhage of a serious nature, 

 a small piece of absorbent cotton may be spread over the sur- 

 face of the wound, and pushed in to the opening in order to keep 

 it in place. Pine tar may be smeared over this dressing. Some 

 operators prefer cauterizing the wound with a red-hot iron for 

 the purpose of preventing hemorrhage. During warm weather, 

 the wound should be washed daily with a two per cent water 

 solution of a coal tar disinfectant, until healing is well advanced. 

 A very necessary after-treatment is the washing of the part after 

 two or three days for the purpose of removing the dried blood. 



The opening at the base of the horn communicates directly 

 with the frontal sinus, a large cavity situated between the two 

 plates of the frontal bone. Sometimes the bone is slivered, or 

 the wound becomes infected and inflamed. This may be due to a 

 dirty dehorning saw, or getting dirt into the wound. The in- 

 flammation may extend to the sinus and a heavy discharge from 

 the cavity occur. This complication may be prevented by plac- 

 ing the saw or cutters in a disinfectant when not in use, and 

 cleaning and disinfecting the wound very carefully for a few 

 days after the operation. 



The horn buttons of calves from a few days to one week of 

 age can be destroyed, and the growth of the horn prevented by 

 applying caustic soda or potash to them. The method of pro- 

 cedure is as follows : Clip away the hair from around the base 

 of the horn tissue and apply a little vaseline to the skin near,- 

 but not close to, the base of the horn ; moisten the horn button 

 and rub it two or three times with the end of the stick of caustic ; 

 do not allow the calf to go out in the rain for a few days after 

 applying the caustic. The horns of calves a few weeks of age 

 may be removed with a sharp knife or calf dehorner. 



Choking. — This is a common accident in cattle and horses. 



