How to rid the pastures of the tick without killing the vegetation on them has for a long time been the problem. Divide the pasture in two parts by a double parallel line of fence with a 10-foot space between, to prevent ticks from crawling across. One of these pastures is then kept free of cattle for two winters and one summer. After the second winter it will be free of ticks and ready for tickless cattle, when the other pasture is abandoned for the same time.
Vaccination is for the purpose of immunizing cattle that are brought from a non-infected district to an infected district. Calves about six to eight months old should be used, as they are more immune than adult cattle. The immunity is caused by introducing the germ into the blood in a weakened form. This may be done in two ways—by placing virulent young ticks on the calves or by artificial vaccination. When this is practiced, it should be done in two or three inoculations, as it gives better results. The intervals should be about three weeks. The amount of virulent blood should be small the first time and increased in the following treatments.
The inoculation always results in a more or less serious attack of the fever upon the animal treated. Some may die, but the proportion of deaths resulting among animals taken directly into the infected district is large to the proportion of deaths resulting from vaccination. Medical treatment for this disease has proven unsatisfactory in the acute form, although in some chronic cases some good results may have been obtained by medical treatment.
THICK LEG.
—See [Lymphangitis].
THOROUGHPIN.
—An enlargement situated on the sides and upper part of the hock joint of the horse, arising from a derangement of the sheath of the back tendon. The fluid with which it is filled can be pressed from one side to the other, hence the term thoroughpin. It seldom causes lameness. For treatment mix a teaspoonful of biniodide of mercury with 4 tablespoonfuls of lard. Rub on a little with the fingers, let it remain on for 24 hours, then wash off and rub on a little lard or vaseline. Repeat the blister every third week until the enlargement disappears. The horse should have rest while under treatment.
THRUSH.
—A diseased condition of the secreting surface of the fatty frog in the foot. In severe cases the horny part often detaches from the sensitive tissue within. Bad shoeing is a common cause of the trouble, or anything else that prevents the frog from coming in contact with the ground. Lameness is sometimes associated with the disease. Treatment consists of careful cleaning, followed with linseed meal poultices if lame. After the foot is made dry, insert calomel into the little cavities. The calomel can be kept in and the dirt kept out by using paper or cloth plugs. Follow this treatment until normal condition is attained.