350 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



LOSS OF HOOF. 



Cattle sometimes become fastened between planks or otherwise, and 

 pull off the wall of one or both claws in the effort to extricate themselves. 

 The claws of one or more feet may be shed as the result of acute lami- 

 nitis. 



Treatment Apply a thick coating of pine tar over the bleeding sur- 

 face, then cover with a layer of oakuin or absorbent cotton; apply 

 another coat of tar over this, and then bandage closely and firmly. 

 This may remain without disturbance until the new growing Avail 

 becomes sufficiently strong to sustain the pressure and weight of the 

 animal. If, however, at any time it becomes manifest that pus is form- 

 ing under this dressing, by oozing or bad smell, the bandage should 

 be removed and as much of the suppurating surface freshly dressed as 

 may indicate any unhealthy condition. Before applying tar to this 

 second dressing the foot should be soaked in a solution of chloride of 

 zinc, 1 dram to a pint of water. This may have to be repeated every 

 few days, and should be continued so long as there is any pus formation. 

 If the loss of hoof is due to suppurative laminitis, the parts denuded 

 of the horny covering must be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected with 

 the zinc solution. Then apply a moderately thick layer of absorbent 

 cotton, and apply the tar and bandage over this. After this the zinc 

 solution may be poured in at the top of the dressing daily. It will thus 

 soak in and saturate the dressing and inflamed tissue. It may become 

 necessary to remove the whole of the dressing once a week to give the 

 parts a fresh cleansing, and then to reapply it. In all cases where it 

 can be avoided, the first dressing should never be removed entirely, but 

 holes may be made through it for the escape of pus. 



FOUL IN FOOT FOOT-ROT. 



A variety of causes may produce inflammation of the foot between 

 the claws or toes; sometimes the inflammation Avill extend entirely 

 around the bulb of the heels. It may be due to an overgrowth of the 

 claws and inward pressure, as in ingrowing nail of man, or it may be 

 caused by the irritation of stable filth, to impaction and hardening of 

 soil between the claws, or to other foreign substances becoming wedged 

 in and causing inflammation and softening or ulceration of the skin in 

 the interdigital space. Tuberculous cattle are subject to foul feet. 

 This disease is most frerpieutly seen in the hind feet, though all four 

 feet may become affected. It is never contagious among cattle like the 

 foot-rot among sheep. 



Symptoms. The animal is observed to limp in walking. On examina- 

 tion ot the foot we discover fever, swelling above the hoof, and of the 

 soft parts between the claws, which frequently spreads the foot apart 

 to a considerable extent, or the inflammation may have advanced to 

 softening and sloughing of the interdigital membrane. If the disease 

 is neglected at this stage deep abscesses may form and the pus burrow 



