426 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



enable the practitioner to determine with considerable 

 accuracy its composition and importance; sometimes 

 growths prove troublesome by their tendency to block 

 up passages either by pressure or by plugging ; again, 

 they may interfere with nutritive supply by pressure 

 on vessels (though generally they grow so as to avoid 

 Ihis) j often they cause ulceration of the investing 

 skin by pressure, and are thus transformed into obstinate 

 ulcers or irregular bloody projecting masses of a highly 

 irritable character, and with a tendency to bleed pro- 

 fusely; sometimes, by their size, form, and position, 

 they are serious eyesores. In growth, they may become 

 pedunculated or wide at the base. 



Treatment consists in their removal with the knife or 

 hot iron, or by some other cauterising agent, or their 

 destruction through defective nutritive supply from pres- 

 sure of a ligature round the base. In cases of cystic 

 tumour other measures must be tried before recourse is 

 had to surgical removal. Generally evacuation of the 

 contents is indicated, the exceptions being hsematomata, 

 synovial cysts, and recent serous abscesses. In them 

 inflammation must be set up to lead to consolidation, or 

 absorbent agents, as the biniodide of mercury, must be 

 freely applied ; pressure also is highly valuable as a 

 means of promoting absorption. Surgical removal of a 

 tumour of any considerable size necessitates casting the 

 animal. The skin must be boldly divided, and all the 

 mass removed, the process of dissection being more or 

 less careful according to the proximity or otherwise of 

 important organs. Carbolic spray may be used during 

 the operation, and, if deemed advisable, the part may be 

 placed in a state of anaesthesia or the patient put under 

 chloroform. All arteries should be tied with catgut 

 thread, and bleeding may be reduced as much as possible 

 by a free supply of cold water, sponging, and some- 

 times pressure along the course of the artery of supply. 

 Finally, sutures may be inserted, and the animal 

 allowed to rise. Bony tumours must be removed with a 

 saw or bone forceps. After-treatment is that required 



