The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-05-14

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Prof. Johnson.
Correspondence Of The Progressive Farmer.
A Moore county, N. c., CORE
spondent asks:
''Will some one please answer the
following through the columns of
The Progressive Farmer: What
causes hollow horn in COWS, if there
is such a thing?"
If the writer of the above query
cares to investigate little for him
self, I suggest that he take the head
of any horned COW three years of
age or more and make a cut quarter
ing through the base of one horn,
then across the front part of the
head or skull bones and emerging
from the rear of the other horn,
three or four inches from it's base,
and study the revelations thus made.
He will thus remove the idea from
his mind, if he now holds it, that
only diseased cattle have hollow
horns.
AS the horn begins to form it is
solid cone and remains in that con-
dition until the animal is about two
years old, at which time the center
or core begins to be absorbed this
process continues until the horn is
fully grown. Thus in normal two
and half year old horn the hollow
extends only two or three inches up
from the skull and may not be more
than half inch in diameter at the
largest point. AS the animal grows
older and the horn increases in diam
eter and length, so does the hollow
develop until in an aged animal with
fully -matured horns it may be at
least one inch in diameter and ex-
tend two thirds the entire length of
the horn.
This cavity in the normal horn
opens into a space between two long
plates forming the front part of the
skull. This space in turn opens into
the nasal canals.
Close examination shows that the
nasal canals, the spaces between the
long plates of the forehead and the
cavity in the horns, are lined with
glistening white or greyish pink
mucous membrane holding nerves
and fine blood vessels. This mem
brane is delicate in structure, easily
injured from wounds, blows on the
head, exposure to rough and chilly
weather, from breathing impure air
Or poisonous gases, such as are gen
Grated in poorly ventilated stables or
arise from heaps of manure left to
ferment and decay about the ami
mails home.
These injuries generally recover
without any special attention. o.
casiOnally, however, the animals
vitality or vigor is reduced to such
low ebb that there is no reserve
power left to overcome the injury.
Soon germs of catarrh or other dis
eases find lodgment upon the injured
part, where they develop very rap
idly, producing their characteristic
Inflammation and suppuration. This
spreads over the mucous surface un-
til finally it enters the horn cavity.
About this time the animal has lost
appetite her coat is rough, the hair
standing on end the nose may cease
to perspire the horns are cold to the
touch, and when bored an offensive
pus pours out. Turpentine or some
other germicide and ointment is run
into the horn, from which it finds it's
way to the neighboring parts and on
into the canals leading to the nose.
The animal is given more tempting
food, q warm comfortable stable and
plenty of sunshine and fresh air of
warm bright days, and recovery
generally follows.
T, The disease may be called "hollow
horn" catarrh, or any other con
venient name. The cause is the
same the symptoms are the same;
the treatment should be the same.
AS a rule only the aged or weak
animals suffer from this form of
catarrh. From this it seems that
the better thing to do is to keep only
young and vigorous animals feed
literally, and shelter from rains of
fall, winter and early spring; give
daily exercise, fresh air and sun
shine.
Prevention with this as other
maladies to which cattle are suscept-
ible is better than all treatments
veterinarians may be able to COM
nand. j, M. JOHNSON.