PREVENTING THE GROWTH OF HORNS 



29 



them. In this property lies its vaUie as a preventive of the 

 growth of horns. When properly applied it destroys the matrix 

 or growing point of the horny tissue and the underlying peri- 

 osteum from which tlie bony pith grows. 



DIRECTIONS FOR USING CAUSTIC POTASH 



The hair sliould be cut away from the young horn as thor- 

 oughly as possible so that the potash may come in intimate 

 contact with the parts to be treated. The oily secretion should 

 be removed from the parts to be touched with the potash, by 

 wiping carefully with a rag or sponge moistened with soap- 

 suds, or water containing a little ammonia. Parts not to be 

 touched should not be iiioistened. 



The stick of potash is rolled up io a piece of paper so as to 

 leave one end exposed. The exposed end is dipped in 

 water to moisten it and then rubbed on the button or embryo 

 horn until the skin begins to start, care being taken that the 

 whole of the button and the border or matrix is included in 

 the treatment. In young calves a few days old a surface half 

 an inch or a little more in diameter will cover these parts. 



Caustic potash, or caustic soda which answers as well, can be 

 obtained at almost any drug store. When not in use it should 

 be kept in a closely-stoppered vial, one with a rubber stopper 

 preferred, or it will liquefy. 



After the calf is two or three days old the sooner the potash 

 is applied, the better. 



RESULTS OF USING CAUSTIC POTASH 



The following is a record of the calves treated; 



Age Jan. Date of Age at time 

 19, 1898. treatment, of treatment. Result. 



No. I, Pansy, 12 mos. Feb. 18, '97 5wks. Horns not destroyed, 



somewhat stunted. 



No. 2, Martha, 14 mos. Feb. 28, '97 i4wks. Ditto. 



No. 3, Helen of Troy, 9 mos. May i, '97 i wk. Both horns destroyed. 

 No. 4, Madge of Wood- 

 stock, 5 mos., 



I wk. Aug. 28, '97 i6dys. " 



No. 5, Mischief, 20 wks. Sept. 6. '97 8 dys. " 



No. 6, Marie, 20 wks. Sept. 6, '97 5 or 6 dys. " 



No. 7, Maid of Beta, 8 wks. Dec. 11, '97 14 dys. " 



No. 8, Clara, 7 wks. Dec. 11, '97, 8 dys. " 



In the cases of Nos. i and 2 the treatment was not begun early enough. In 

 the others it was successful. 



