DISEASES OF THE FOOT. ' 335 



in the same herd become affected, which has led some to think that 

 the disease may be contagious. Occurrences have been reported in 

 which foot rot of cattle has appeared within a short time among 

 a large proportion of the cattle in a farming district. This disease 

 is most frequently seen in the hind feet, though all four feet may 

 become affected. 



Symptoms. — The animal is observed to limp. On examination of 

 the foot Ave discover heat and sw^elling above the hoof and of the 

 soft parts between the claws AA'hich frequently spreads the claws 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 bur- 

 row under the horny wall, or the joint Avithin the hoof may become 

 inflamed and the articular attachments destroyed, in which case the 

 treatment will be difficult and recovery Avill be 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 Avill usually remedy the evil. Cresol compound is an 

 excellent reuiedy at this stage. It should be applied, in its pure or 

 undiluted state, to the suppurating and putrefying tissue between 

 the claAvs. It is best applied by means of a cotton swab on a thin 

 stick. Care must be taken to keep it from contact w'ith the skin 

 about the coronary band or heels. (Jf 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, 2 inches wide, passing 

 the middle betAveen the claAvs, then tying the ends after winding them 

 in opposite directions aboA^e the hoof. Sometimes Avarm poulticing 

 Avith flaxseed meal or bran is necessary to relieA'e excessiA^e fever and 

 pain. If the pus burroAvs under the horn, its channel must be fol- 

 loAA'ed by paring aAA'ay the horn until the bottom is reached. The 

 aftertreatment is the same as that already recommended. If the 

 joint becomes diseased an amputation of that toe is the quickest and 

 surest method to relieA^e the suffering 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, wdiich present an elevated, raw, or ragged surface, 

 and cause considerable lameness. This is generally caused by a bruise 

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

 sloughing or necrosis may occur, or pus may form deep within the 

 wall and gain an exit at the margin of the heel. Sometimes, from 

 no visible cause, large pieces of skin slough from the heel and pastern. 



