LOSS OF THE CLAW. 
837 
They are fixed by their base into the furrow of the bone. Two elastic 
ligaments, which start from the upper end of the second phalanx, and run to 
the upper surface of the furrow, serve to lift the claw, and prevent it being 
excessively worn away. The claw does not touch the ground when weight is 
placed on the foot, and the weight of the body is therefore sustained by the 
pads of the sole and toes. These are rounded masses of connective tissue, 
containing elastic fibres and fatty tissue; they are provided with a strong 
epidermis, and are connected by ligaments with the phalanges. They are 
black in colour, contain neither hair follicles nor sebaceous glands, but are 
provided with numerous sudoriparous glands. 
I.—GROWING-IN OF THE CLAWS (INCARNATIO UNGUIS). 
DISLOCATION OF THE CLAWS. CHRONIC INFLAM¬ 
MATION OF THE CLAW MATRIX. LOSS OF THE 
CLAWS. 
In cats and dogs, the dew-claw, which does not touch the ground, and 
therefore is not worn away, sometimes becomes abnormally long, and 
assumes a curved form. Its point then enters its corresponding pad, 
produces great pain and lameness, and occasionally suppuration in and 
around the pad. Treatment consists in shortening the claw by means 
of forceps or strong scissors, care being taken not to remove too much 
and thus injure the last joint of the toe. In judging of the amount to 
be removed, the claw of the other foot can be taken as a guide, provided 
it also is not overgrown. In the same way, the claws of cage-birds often 
grow to an excessive degree, and require to be shortened. 
In dogs, the claw and its matrix are sometimes violently torn off. 
Sometimes only a portion of the plate of horn is separated from the 
last joint of the toe ; sometimes the greater part of it is gone, so that 
the claw only remains attached to the sensitive structures by a shred; 
sometimes it is completely lost. The accident is commonest in large 
dogs, in consequence of the claw being caught in a cord, net, or similar 
object, is painful, and always causes lameness. Pain is especially 
severe if the claw remain hanging, because it then comes in contact with 
the ground at each step ; its complete loss is less painful. Careful 
examination at once detects the character of the accident. If only a 
small part of the horny plate be lost, the parts may reunite, otherwise it 
is best to entirely remove the claw. It can simply be snipped away with 
scissors; if, however, the last joint of the toe be also injured or otherwise 
diseased, and if extensive change have taken place in the matiix, it is 
better to amputate the third phalanx by exarticulation at the last joint 
of the toe, which lies a little behind or above the upper edge of the nail. 
As a rule, strong scissors are sufficient, and by making one rapid cut 
the operation is rendered less painful. In the same way, a claw which 
is nearly separated from its matrix may be removed. No particular 
