CASTRATION OF COWS. 
317 
In accordance with the above facts, I must say, that “ the castra¬ 
tion of the cow is a useless , and in an economical point of view , a dis¬ 
advantageous operation , in so far as it has relation to the lacteal secre¬ 
tion or fattening qualities , and deserves , once for all , to be driven out 
of existence .” 
PERIOSTITIS. 
By A. A. Holcombe, D. V. S., N. Y. 
[Continued from Page 196.] 
Inflammation of the periosteum as a complication of quarter-crack 
is but occasionally met with in practice, yet it may occur at any time, 
and is important in its bearing upon the course of treatment to be pur¬ 
sued in consequence of the complication, as well as interesting to the 
profession because of the absence of any mention of this condition in 
the text books upon veterinary surgery. That periostitis of a severe 
character, with even caries of the os pedis, should exist in rare cases of 
quarter-crack, and yet never receive the recognition of our authors, in¬ 
dicates the imperfection of our English veterinary literature. Although 
a detection of its presence in the past may not have mattered so much 
as to the subsequent treatment and ultimate results, its early detection 
and proper treatment in the light of recent days, when so many rapid 
trotters are prone to spring quarter-cracks on account of the character 
of their work, especially when carrying toe-weights, becomes of great 
importance, both to the Veterinarian and his employer. As a complica¬ 
tion of toe-crack, it is very often seen, and is due to the same causes, 
runs the same course, and demands the same treatment as in quarter- 
crack. It is in those cases oi quarter-crack that have existed for a 
lengthened period of time, and where the wound is long and deep, that 
the continued irritation and inflammation of the soft tissues spreads to 
the periosteum beneath, and a circumscribed periostitis results. 
Except in rare cases, the inflammatory action is limited to the ex¬ 
ternal layer of the periosteum, and where suppuration follows, it is found 
between the two layers. This inflammation is generally of a chronic 
character, and is maintained solely by the irritation and inflammation 
of the surrounding tissues, which, in their turn, are kept constantly irri¬ 
tated by the presence of foreign substances coming through the opening 
in the wall of the foot, and by the pressure from the edges of the wound¬ 
ed horn. 
