DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 351 



under the horny wall, or the joint within the hoof may become inflamed 

 and the articular attachments destroyed, in which case the treatment 

 will become difficult and recovery very tedious. 



Treatment. In the earlier stages of the disease, before pus burrows 

 beneath the horn, a thorough cleansing and an application of a car- 

 bolic acid solution 1 ounce to a pint of water clean stabling, and 

 laxative food will soon remedy the evil. If deep sloughing has taken 

 place the carbolic solution should be used, and a wad of oakum or cot- 

 ton smeared with pine tar should be secured firmly in the cleft. This 

 can be done by taking a strip of strong cloth, two inches wide, passing 

 the middle between the claws, then tying the ends after winding them 

 in opposite directions above the hoof. Sometimes warm poulticing, 

 with oil-cake meal, boiled carrots, or boiled mashed potatoes, becomes 

 necessary to relieve excessive fever and pain. If the pus burrows under 

 the horn its channel must be followed by paring away the horn until 

 the bottom is reached. The after treatment will be the same as that 

 already recommended. If the joint becomes diseased an amputation 

 of that toe will be the quickest and surest method to relieve the suffer- 

 ing of the animal, and offers the best chance for an early recovery. 



ULCERATION OF THE HEEL. 



Occasionally we find ulcers at the junction of the hair with the hoof 

 at the heel, which present an elevated, raw, or ragged surface, and 

 cause considerable lameness. This is generally due to a bruise of the 

 fibrous cushion of the back part of the foot. Subsequent sloughing 

 or necrosis may occur, or pus may form deep down within the wall and 

 gain an exit at the margin of the heel. 



Treatment. If there is a deep opening inject the carbolic solution 

 once a day until it closes. If the ulcer is only superficial apply, twice 

 a week, a mixture of equal parts of blue vitriol and alum in dry powder. 



FISSURE OF THE WALL SPLIT HOOF. 



This is rarely seen among cattle. It may occur in weak walls, in 

 heavy-bodied cattle, by stepping on an uneven surface, especially when 

 the point of the toe is grown out long. 1 have seen the point of the toe 

 broken and the wall split almost up to the hair. 



Treatment. The divided sections may be brought into approximation 

 and held in place by drilling a small hole from one side into and through 

 the other, commencing half an inch buck of the fissure on each side, 

 then drive a light horseshoe nail through the hole and clinch it. Pare 

 the injured claw as short as it will bear. 



INTERDICtlTAL PIIlltnMA. 



Hard, nodular, fibrous tumors sometimes grow in the cleft of the foot, 

 and cause inconvenience, lameness, absorption, or ulceration of the con- 

 tiguous parts. 



