822 
DISEASES OF THE CLAWS IN CATTLE AND SHEEP. 
thrust too far asunder. The interdigital ligaments lying above the interdigital 
space unite the coronet bones, and pass through the fatty cushion of the 
bulbs of the heel, to lose themselves in the sensitive sole. 
This peculiar structural arrangement renders cattle less suited for 
moving on hard ground, and, if they he forced to do so, predisposes the 
soft structures of the claws to injury. The distribution of weight in the 
claw is different to that in the hoof. Whilst in the hoof the wall supports 
the principal weight and the sole is practically exempt, the sole of the 
claw carries by far the greater portion of weight. The same is true even 
when the claws are shod, and it explains the frequent occurrence of bruises 
of the sole. 
Foi a similar reason, the continued irritation of dirt and stable manure 
causes disease of the claw 7 to exhibit special features. These consist in 
acute inflammation, which, under the action of infectious agents, lead to 
gangiene of soft parts and necrosis of bone, or purulent septic inflammation 
of the claw 7 or coronet-joint. 
The ox being less sensitive than the horse, symptoms of inflammation 
of the claws are less marked than those of laminitis, and examination 
of the claws is more difficult than that of the hoof. Being generally 
macerated in manure, the claws of the hind feet are less tender in 
this disease than the hoof in the like condition in the horse. It is 
also difficult in the ox to detect slight degrees of pain. When the pain 
is severe the animals lie a great deal and are difficult to raise, suggesting 
to non-professional observers that they are injured in the back. On 
forcing the animal to move, it endeavours, as much as possible, to avoid 
placing v 7 eight on the diseased foot, and in acute attacks weight is 
thrown on each only for a few seconds, or not at all. At the same time 
the foot is placed in peculiar positions—when the pain affects the toe, 
most weight being placed on the bulbs of the heel, and vice versa: in 
the latter case, weight is only placed on the foot during a portion of 
the stride. 
In these animals a local examination, although absolutely necessary for 
diagnosis, is very difficult to make. When the animal is standing it is 
sometimes possible to lift the foot, as in the horse, and thus to examine 
it. In restless or obstinate animals, a cord may be passed round the 
front fetlock, carried over the withers to the opposite side, and the front 
foot thus lifted. In the hind foot the cord is passed round the leg just 
above the hock, or round the cannon bone, and a strong stick thrust through 
it. Two strong men then lift the foot; the hind foot may also be drawn 
up to the shafts of a waggon and fastened. In any case, the animal must 
be firmly fixed by the head. 
When the animal is lying the foot is fixed by means of cords, though 
it is generally best to make the animal rise. Cattle often offer great 
