492 
DISEASES OE THE TAIL. 
way. In former days the root of the tail was often injured by operations 
destined to eradicate disease. Such injuries were sometimes inflicted on 
swine for the purpose of bleeding. In oxen, pleuro-pneumonia inocula¬ 
tion sometimes produces severe inflammation in the tail, especially if 
impure material is employed. Sometimes the tail whilst soiled with 
dung is accidentally wounded. Injuries of this kind in oxen, when not 
promptly treated, readily produce cellular inflammation, due to infection, 
or ulceration, and may extend to the vertebrae, producing a chronic 
disease which was formerly viewed as specific. Ulceration, caries, or 
necrosis, resulting from cellulitis, may set in and lead to sloughing of 
portions of the tail. The outer skin being closely applied to the caudal 
vertebrae, severe swelling at the root of the tail is liable to be followed 
by necrosis, just as in other organs, e.g., the tongue; the pressure 
exercised by the greatly distended skin impedes and finally stops circu¬ 
lation. The accident is common after inoculation with instruments or 
lymph conveying septic substances, or in cases where animals are not 
well looked after. Its wide distribution in certain stables formerly led 
to its being regarded as a specific disease. In Finland, official precautions 
have even been taken against it. 
Symptoms and course. Injuries to the tail are easily detected. 
Cellulitis is marked by diffuse swelling, which often extends to the 
body, causing feverish symptoms, and even death. In other cases the 
inflammatory swelling leads to partial gangrene of the tail, or to necrosis 
of skin, liable to be followed by caries of the caudal vertebrae. 
Cancer of the tail has been seen in the horse. Cadiot and Dollar 
describe a case (p. 427, “Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Surgery”). 
Two growths as large as walnuts, and with firm, reddish, excoriated 
surfaces, appeared on the lower surface of the tail about 4 inches from 
its base. There were other, smaller, growths. Removal and cauterisa¬ 
tion produced temporary improvement, but the growths recurred, and 
the horse was eventually slaughtered. On post-mortem examination the 
tissues in the pelvic region, as well as the spleen, liver, and lungs, were 
found to be invaded by the new growth. 
In dogs, the point of the tail is often raw from continually striking 
against neighbouring objects; it may either be covered with a dry 
scab, or with fluid discharges. The animal may lick or even gnaw 
or bite the parts, continually exposing the last caudal vertebrae. The 
condition is commonest in short-haired or large dogs. Recovery may 
follow proper treatment, but frequently amputation of the extremity 
of the tail is necessary, and even this may fail to stop the process, 
foi the animals gnaw the exposed stump, and the difficulty arises de 
novo. In a lion, Prietsch twice amputated portions of the tail before 
healing ensued. 
