187 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



HOLLOW HORN. 



Messrs. Editors. — The good example set 

 me by J. W. M., in the Planter of this 

 month, prompts me to write an article on 

 the disease, here called 11 Hollow -horn," 

 which, in my opinion, is much more appro- 

 priate than "Horn-ail'" for, it at once de- 

 clares the condition of the horn, and all 

 will understand what is meant when it is 

 mentioned. It is not generally considered 

 a disease in itself? but the result of a dis- 

 ease. Let that be as it may, animals often 

 die for the want of attention to — and 

 skill in the treatment of the horn directly. 



From experience in several cases among 

 my own stock, and particular enquiry made 

 of my neighbors who have had experience 

 in the matter also, I do not hesitate in en- 

 dorsing J. W. M.'s theory ; but must plead 

 for the animal — to save the horns if possi- 

 ble, for several reasons, such, as the excru- 

 ciating pain it inflicts, if a portion of the 

 bone, or pith, of the horn remains ; which, 

 is hard to determine by having only a gim- 

 let hole through which to examine. I have 

 had them thrown into convulsions by saw- 

 ing off horns which were partially hollow ; 

 and, as they are often poor and weak, they 

 cannot well endure the pain, nor spare the 

 great amount of blood that will escape after 

 such an operation ; also, the deformity ; 

 together with an open horn to receive 

 rains, snows, and frosts the remainder of 

 its life, are sufficient, I think, to save the 

 horn if possible. Therefore, I recommend 

 boreing first with an ordinary shingle gimlet 

 into the lower side of the horn about two 

 or three inches from the head ; and if it is 

 found (by using a crooked wire) that the 

 horn is hollow, empty, and dry, let there be 

 a table spoonful or more of finely ground 

 black pepper, and as much fine salt blown 

 into it through a quill. But, if the horn 

 contains matter that cannot escape through 

 so small a hole, enlarge it, even to three 

 lourths of an inch in diameter, so the clots 

 can escape, after the horn is emptied of 

 all loose matter, blow in the pepper and 

 salt. 



If after this treatment the animal does 

 not very speedily improve, remove one 

 horn ; and, if that fails, remove the other 

 in a day or two, or sooner if absolutely ne- 

 cessary. 



If the blood flows very freely after saw- 

 ing off the horn apply dry horse manure, 



(first filling up with pepper and salt) which 

 keep to the place by the application of sev- 

 eral thicknesses of cotton cloth well tarred. 



The horn may be warm, and yet dis- 

 eased ; but, if the horn be cold, and upon 

 tapping it with a hard substance, it sounds 

 hollow, be assured that boreingis necessary. 



I have always found accompanying the 

 hollow-horn, a soft place in the tail some 

 six inches or a foot from the lower end, a 

 perfect decaying of the bone — it is called 

 here "the wolf in the tail," it should be 

 attended to at the same time with the horn. 



It is treated in different ways ; one, by 

 cutting off the tail above the diseased por- 

 tion and filling it with pepper and salt and 

 bandaging it — the disease can be detected 

 by squeazing the tail between the finger 

 and thumb. 



These diseases are not confined to any 

 condition ; fat cattle suffer from them as 

 well as poor. 



Before I close I would suggest that it is 

 very important to raise all cattle that can- 

 not get- up themselves, as soon as possi- 

 ble ; because, the longer they lay, the 

 more discouraged they become, and will 

 lose the use of their limbs. The best sim- 

 ple contrivance that I am acquainted with 

 for the purpose is to procure a piece of 

 strong linnen as wide as from the fore legs 

 to the hind ones — (the length of the belly,) 

 and twice as long as from midway on one 

 side, to midway on the other side, mea- 

 suring underneath: then, sew the ends to- 

 gether (as a hoop), and place it under the 

 animal, it will be double ; through each end 

 pass a pole from twelve to fifteen feet in 

 length; immediately in front of, and about 

 three feet from the animal plant a strong 

 stake about four feet high, and then raise 

 the ends of the poles and secure them to 

 the stake, as high, as midway the sides of 

 the animal when standing; then plant a 

 similar stake at the hind end of each pole ; 

 then, raise one pole at a time ; or, both to- 

 gether, as the force may be ; and secure 

 each pole to its own stake as a proper 

 height to elevate the invalid so it can stand. 

 It is well to apply a leather strap around 

 the breast from pole to pole ; and, one also 

 behind, from pitching forward or backward. 



W hile it is all important not to let it lay 

 too long, it is also necessary to let it down 

 occasionally to relieve its limbs, &c. 



J. M. B. 



