The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1879-01-30
fnr the farmer.
IMAGINARY DISEASES OF CATTLE.

Hollow HoRN.- Turning to cattle, we find |
here, too, the same ignorance of their diseases,
and the same blind adherence to the traditions |
of the dark ages. With the great majority OF
our farmers, cattle have scarcely more than two
horn and "wolf- the taiP-
opinions too ridiculous for notice, were it not
for their prevalence and widespread character.
The horns of cattle are formed by the growth OF
n bony projection, which soon becomes attached
to the skull, and the transformation OF the cpl
dermis over the protuberance into horn they
are therefore, composed primarily of four dffer-
ent LAYERS. Commencing on the outside, there
is the horn, or epidermis then the true, or san
sitive skin; next to this, the periosteum or vas
cular membrane covering the bone, aud finally
the bone itself. BY pressure between the horn
and bone, the true skin aud periosteum become
consolidated into single vascular and sensitive
layer; aud, very early in the life OF the animal,
q cavity begins to form in the bone OF the skull,
beneath the horn, which extends by absorption
of the bone reaches the bony support of the horn,
and penetrates this aud continues to enlarge
during the life of the animal. In old animals,
there Is only q thin shell Of bone, with large
cavity inside, divided, perhaps, by thin, bony
PARTITION and lined with an internal periosteum,
and O delicate mucous membrane. This is the
natural condition of the horn-a provision for
tightening what would otherwise be heavy
and cumbrous structure; and so far from being
o condition of disease, it was designed by wise
Creator as q benefit to the animal.
Attention as probably directed to the horns
as the seat of the disease, because in all serious
troubles there hre times at which the extremi-
ties--the ears, horDs, and limbs-are cold, or
alternately hot and cold. By boring they were
found to be hollow, when it was supposed they
should be solid, and it was, therefore, decided at
once, that they were the principal seat OF the
affection. Boring the horns causes them intense
pain, something similar to forcing q gimiet
through the finger nail, the tissues beneath the
bone, and the flesh beyond it, and continuing
till the skin is pierced on the opposite side; II
can not be defended from any point of view, and
it is time for such treatment to be abolished IN
civilized and intelligent countries.
VIOLIN -THR-TAIL-- This trouble usually CO.
exists with the cocalled hollow horn, and it is
equally without foundation as o canse of dis
ease. / have space to devote but few words
TO its consideration. Any one examining the
tail of healthy COW, will find the bones, which
are anite large at the root of the organ, gradu
ally diminish in size till they finally disappear
entirely, when their place is supplied by rat h.
er soft, flexible gristle. During any serions in :
ternal disease, the circulation in the tail, as III
other extremities, is lessened, and the part is
consequently relaxed there is even at times
slight dropsical infiltration, which adds to the
delusion, and makes it no difficult matter for
one to convince himself that some OF the bones
are really wanting. Their absence is then ac-
counted for, by supposing them to have been de-
youred BY q hypothetical worm-the "wolf"
This worm has never, to my knowledge. been
discovered by veterinarian, though it is not
rare to find "cow leeches" who claim TO nave re-
moved it. But even admitting the existence of
such parasite-which am far from doing-it
could not cause the general symptoms which are
attributed to it it might produce local in
Illumination, of little consequence at the most,
ms we see that of the Larvae of Gstrus which de-
yelop along the back of cattle, but no more.
The fact is, the ailments which have men,
toned are imaginary diseases-in the vast ma
iority of cases they are merely symptoms OF the
real disease, but have no connection, near or re-
mote with its canse. 1t is time for farmers to
recognize the fact that they are generally una
able to discover the true disease that they can
not trace its course or its complications that
IL requires one with q thorough knowledge OF
the nature and effects of medicine, of the make
up of the animal body, and of the use and normal
activity of every part of it, to be able to treat
animals in a proper manner. 1t is time the use
funess of veterinary profession was recog-
nized that efforts were made to provide CON-
petent practitioners for every section, and that
these be called upon, as are hum an practitioners,
at the first appearance of serious disease When
these points are appreciated. We shall see such
cruel and unreasonable practices gradually give
way-and instead of being killed in an effort to
cure the natural tendency to recovery will be
assisted and We cannot doubt that millions Of
dollars worth of property would be saved our
country each year.-Rural Neir- Yorker.