2GG THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



the morbid matter escapes into the frontal sinuses, and is apt 

 to set up diseased action on the tissue with which it comes in 

 contact. If it be ever necessary to puncture an abscess of this 

 character, it should be done by way of the nostrils. 



Even should the animal labor under any disease located 

 within the horns, the introduction of a gimlet would be a very 

 unsafe remedy, as all veterinary surgeons are ready to testify. 

 It is a dangerous business to puncture a membrane so highly 

 organized as that found within the frontal sinuses, * especially 

 when so rude an instrument as a gimlet is used. The instru- 

 ment must lacerate the parts, and induce severe inflammation 

 and suppuration ; consequently, it is better calculated to pro- 

 duce disease in this region than to cure one existing there. 



I have examined many animals after their horns have been 

 bored, and have always found an undue degree of heat in the 

 cranial region; throbbing pulsations about the base of the 

 horn, and a general disturbance of the functions ; sometimes 

 an accumulation of pus within the cavity. Then, again, in- 

 ternal hemorrhage, effusion, etc., of blood, are apt to occur after 

 boring the horns ; and every intelligent physician would be un- 

 willing to incur the risk attending it. Many a valuable animal 

 has been lost by hemorrhage, following fracture, puncture, and 

 sawing off the horns. 



Horn-ail is said to be so prevalent among neat stock, that 

 the farmer (in the imaginative mood) fears it as he would the 

 plague. And the only remedy for this lamentable state of ig- 

 norance, is for farmers to use their reason, godlike and rational, 

 and avail themselves of the experience of those competent to 

 diagnose disease by its concomitant and persistent symptoms. 



We are now in possession of fads showing that the intro- 

 duction of a foreign body — a gimlet — may induce a formid- 

 able disease ; therefore, it should never be used. 



* The gimlet, before it enters the lining membrane of the parts (termed 

 schniedcrian), must necessarily puncture a highly vascular membrane 

 (termed periosteum) ; the external covering of the bony column, and in- 

 flammation and suppuration may be the consequence, ending in altered 

 structure. 



