336 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



This condition is caused by an infection with certain microorganisms 

 (streptococci, necrosis bacilli) and may be contagious. 



Treatment. — If there is a deep opening, inject carbolic solution once 

 a day until it closes. If the ulcer is only superficial, wash with car- 

 bolic solution and apply 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 

 heavily-bodied cattle, caused by stepping on an uneven surface, espe- 

 cially Avhen the point of the toe is grown out long. One may find the 

 point of the toe broken and the wall split almost up to the hair. 



Treatment. — The divided sections may' be brought into approxima- 

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

 through the other, commencing half an inch back 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. 



INTERDIGITAL FIBROMA. 



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

 foot, and cause inconvenience, lameness, absorption, or ulceration of 

 the contiguous parts. 



Treatment. — They should be dissected out and the wound dressed 

 with carbolic-acid lotion and pine tar once a day until healing is 

 completed. 



DEFORMITIES. 



Deformities in the feet of cattle usually consist in overgrowth of 

 horn, generally from want of wear in animals which are stabled. 

 The hoof may turn inward, outward, or upward, and may give rise to 

 lameness, inability to walk, foul foot, etc. Bulls which are continu- 

 ally stabled and dairy cows very frequently have misshapen feet from 

 want of an occasional trimming, and this deformity may eventually 

 lead to iDermanent injury. 



Treatment. — Cut the superabundant growth of horn down with 

 saw, knife, or rasp, until the foot assumes its natural form. 



PRICKS AND WOUNDS. 



If an animal suffers with a penetrating wound from prick of fork 

 or nail, the orifice of the wound should be enlarged to permit a free 

 discharge of pus ; then the foot should be soaked in a cresol compound 

 solution (3 per cent) in a tub, or a flaxseed poidtice applied, changing 

 it three times a day until the fever has abated. The foot should be 

 kept bandaged and dressed with pine tar and oakum; the animal 



