an elevated, raw, or ragged surface, and cause
considerable lameness. This is generally caused by a bruise of the fibrous
cushion of the back part of the foot. Subsequent sloughing or necrosis may
occur, or pus may form deep within the wall and gain an exit at the margin
of the heel. Sometimes, from no visible cause, large pieces of skin slough
from the heel and pastern. This condition is caused by an infection with
certain microorganisms (streptococci, necrosis bacilli) and may be
contagious.

_Treatment._--If there is a deep opening, inject carbolic solution once a
day until it closes. If the ulcer is only superficial, wash with carbolic
solution and apply a mixture of equal parts of blue vitriol and alum in dry
powder.

FISSURE OF THE WALL (SPLIT HOOF).

This is rarely seen among cattle. It may occur in weak walls, in heavily
bodied cattle, caused by stepping on an uneven surface, especially when the
point of the toe is grown out long. One may find the point of the toe
broken and the wall split almost up to the hair.

_Treatment._--The divided sections may be brought into approximation and
held in place by drilling a small hole from one side into and through the
other, commencing half an inch back of the fissure on each side; then drive
a light horseshoe nail through the hole and clinch it. Pare the injured
claw as short as it will bear.

INTERDIGITAL FIBROMA.

Hard, nodular, fibrous tumors sometimes grow in the cleft of the foot, and
cause inconvenience, lameness, absorption, or ulceration of the contiguous
parts.

_Treatment._--They should be dissected out and the wound dressed with
carbolic-acid lotion and pine tar once a day until healing is completed.

DEFORMITIES.

Deformities in the feet of cattle usually consist in overgrowth of horn,
generally from want of wear in animals which are stabled. The hoof may turn
inward, outward, or upward, and may give rise to lameness, inability to
walk, foul foot, etc. Bulls which are continually stabled and dairy cows
very frequently have misshapen feet from want of an occasional trimming,
and this deformity may eventually lead to permanent injury.

_Treatment._--Cut the superabundant growth of horn down with saw, knife, or
rasp, until the foot assumes its natural form.

PRICKS AND WOUNDS.

If an animal suffers with a penetrating wound from prick of fork or nail,
the orifice of the wound should be enlarged to permit a free discharge of
pus; then the