DISEASES OF THE EAR. 369 



rROSTBITE. 



It is not uncommon among young cattle -which are poorly nour- 

 ished and exposed outdoors to storms and extreme cold to suffer frost- 

 bite of the ear, which may constitute actual freezing of the part. 



Symptoms. — Frostbite presents naturalh' every degree of severity 

 from the mere chilling of the tip of the ear to positive freezing and 

 death of a portion. In a day or two after the freezing has occurred 

 the ear will become swollen and very painful; the dead part will 

 remain cold and begin to shrivel; a line of separation then forms 

 between the inflamed and the dead or djdng portion, and finally the 

 piece destroyed drops off. leaving a raw healing surface. ^Mien the 

 ear is only slightly affected by the cold, an excoriation or }3eeling off 

 of superficial skin takes place, accompanied by some pain and itching. 



Treatment. — A good liniment for frozen ears will be found in a 

 mixture of turpentine, ammonia, and chloroform, of each 1 part, 

 added to 6 parts of sweet oil. Rub this on the ear several times a 

 day. It will relieve pain and stimulate the circulation, thus favoring 

 a recovery of the injured structures. 



I-ArER.\TIONS OF THE EAR. 



Aggressive dogs are the most frequent cause of lacerated ear. gen- 

 erally leaving a torn, ragged edge and bruised cartilage. 



Treatment. — If the wound is extensive a trimming of the ragged 

 edges becomes necessary; then fasten the edges together with silver 

 wire, catgut, or strong, thick, linen thread, taking a deep hold. 

 Apply pine tar. 



DISEASE OF THE CARTILAGE AND XECROSIS. 



Occasionally the cartilages of the ear become affected, usually the 

 result of a deep bruise ; pus forms, which burrows under the skin, and 

 may find a discharge from any part of the ear more or less distant 

 fi-om the seat of the disease. "N^Tien the cartilage has been extensively 

 injured, pieces of it may become dead (necrosed) and dissolve, to be 

 carried away with the pus, or it may lead to extensive sloughing and 

 the formation of numerous running sores. In the disease of the car- 

 tilage there is seldom much swelling or great pain. The discharge is 

 usually very offensive, and occasionally streaked with blood. When- 

 ever there is a long-continued, persistent discharge from one or more 

 openings in the ear, disease of the cartilage may be suspected. 



Treatment. — The sinus formed by the passage of matter should be 

 probed and searched to the bottom for the presence of a foreign sub- 

 stance or the evidence of decaying cartilage. When the probe touches 

 16923°— 12 2A 



