LUMPY JAW
An exterior view showing location of lumpy jaw.
The symptoms are recognized by the characteristic tumor, usually observed on the jaw, either of the bone or of the soft tissues in that vicinity. It may, however, affect the tongue, or, in fact, nearly any of the organs of the body. Its development is more or less of a slow, constant growth, beginning with a very small nodule, but, when allowed to run its course, may reach the size of a cocoanut, or larger. On reaching some size, it usually ruptures and from it discharges a thick, yellowish pus. It is to be distinguished very largely by its commonly affecting cattle, its location, its slow growth and its firm, hard consistency, and finally a discharge of pus from it.
Treatment consists, if of small size in the soft tissues, of complete excision by the knife. But, if of larger size, or when the bone or large blood vessels are involved, recourse should be had to the internal administration of iodide of potash from one to two teaspoonfuls in a drench of a quart of water, or, in some instances, it may be given in the drinking water once daily. This should be continued for a week or ten days, when the treatment should be discontinued for a like time, and, if necessary, repeated several times.
AFTERBIRTH, RETENTION OF.
—This is a condition resulting from the failure of the mother to pass the membranes after the birth of her young. It happens most frequently in cases of abortion, or when birth occurs before time. There is usually more or less of a mass of the membranes hanging from the opening, which occasionally reaches to below the hock, or even to the ground. When fresh it looks somewhat like the intestines, but if exposed to the air for some time it is grayish in color, especially when it begins to decompose. The odor is very offensive, and the discharge soils all the hind parts of the animal. In these cases the health of the animal suffers, and fever frequently results, with a loss of appetite and flow of milk. The fever and inflammation of the parts may go so far as to cause the death of the animal.
The afterbirth should never be allowed to remain over three days in the cow, nor over twenty-four hours in the mare. In the mare, sow, or bitch gently pulling on the membranes, at the same time twisting them easily, will often bring them out without injury to the animal. With the cow it is different. Here the membranes are “buttoned” on in tufts, and the pulling, and especially the twisting, usually makes matters worse and injures the uterus.
After removing the membranes there always remains in the uterus a quantity of fluid, which should be washed out with water a little cooler than the blood of the animal, adding about a teaspoonful of carbolic acid or other good antiseptic to each gallon of water and mixing well. The hands and arms of the operator should be absolutely clean, and during the operation should be kept covered with carbolized oil or carbolized soap and water. In mares, especially, care should be taken not to injure the parts, as inflammation sets in very much quicker than in the cow. Several gallons of the above solution should be injected as soon as the condition is noticed, and a warm bran mash fed to the animal occasionally will help her general health.