338 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



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 or creolin 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 

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

 when 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 due to 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 for 

 want of an occasional trimming, and this deformity may eventually 

 lead to permanent 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 dis- 

 charge of pus; then soak the foot in a creolin solution (3 per cent) 

 in a tub, or apply a. flaxseed poultice, changing it three times a day 

 until the fever has abated. The foot should be kept bandaged and 

 dressed with pine tar and oakum, and the animal must be kept on a 



