264 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



seem to be secondary. No less erroneous do we deem the 

 opinion held by some, that the horn becomes frost-bitten, and 

 then putrefies. Though its whole inner surface is exceedingly 

 vascular, yet it is perfectly protected by the almost insensible 

 horny* covering in which it is cased throughout, except only a 

 very minute ring at its base, whose pulsations are the most ac- 

 curate index of the pulse ; and that ring, hardly wider than a 

 thread, cannot be affected by cold. When it is considered that 

 the horn is a substance of lower vitality than the hoof, which 

 never becomes frost-bitten, even though chilled by an iron shoe, 

 reason should teach us that it cannot be injured by cold." 



A similar case occurred in the experience of the editor of 

 the Planter, wiiich " ran to a speedy and fatal termination." 

 Upon dissection of the head, the left hemisphere of the brain 

 was found completely "broken down," or disorganized; the 

 base of the left horn was slightly implicated. 



The introduction of a • gimlet, therefore, into the horns of 

 cattle thus affected, and afterwards cramming in pepper, tur- 

 pentine, and other foreign bodies, cannot possibly reach the 

 disease nor benefit the animal, but is apt to do much harm. 

 For, puncture of the lining membrane of the frontal sinuses, 

 which generally takes place when the instrument is introduced 

 near the base of the horn, is attended with danger, both as re- 

 gards inflammation and hemorrhage. And it is just as unwise 

 to fill the parts with pepper, turpentine, etc., in view of cure, 

 as it would be if one of our own race were concerned. 



I now have an impression that the reader, like myself, has 

 come to the conclusion that, in the generality of cases occurring 

 among neat stock, of disease christened horn and tail-ails, is 

 located elsewhere. Yet some persons contend that the practice 

 which I denominate as unscientific and barbarous, saves some 

 of the afflicted animals ! I have doubts about the treatment 

 saving them. They may survive it ; for it is well known that 

 both men and animals often recover after an unfavorable prog- 

 nosis is made, and they will also survive very severe injuries, 

 fractures, punctures, and formidable wounds, etc. So that 

 health returns, in such cases, in spite of the violence opposed to 



