FISSURING OF THE HORNS.
Causation. In a general sense fissures may result from any violence affecting the centre portion of the horns, such as blows with the yoke or accidental bruises inflicted by the animals themselves in fighting with their neighbours.
Symptoms. Whether the fissure is confined to the horny covering itself or whether it extends to both the portions constituting the horn, that is, the horny covering and the horn core, two very noticeable symptoms are always present: 1. A straight fissure resembling a sand crack, and appearing usually on the convexity of the horn, and, 2. A very trifling hæmorrhage, which does not appear until some hours or even a day after the accident.
Diagnosis. If the lesion only affects the horn core, diagnosis is always difficult, for one can hardly perceive any sensitiveness of the horn near the fissure.
Prognosis. Provided that the horn core is not injured, the prognosis is favourable; but in the contrary case, it should be reserved; for hæmorrhage extending to the interior of the frontal sinus not infrequently causes suppuration in that cavity.
Treatment. Attempts should first be made to check hæmorrhage by applying masses of tow saturated with cold water and frequently wetted with slightly antiseptic solutions, such as 2 per cent. creolin or carbolic acid. If hæmorrhage persists in spite of this simple treatment, astringents may be employed, which, by causing the formation of a clot, mechanically arrest further extravasation of blood. These astringents vary considerably in value, and we should particularly warn practitioners against perchloride of iron, which causes necrosis of the tissues, and later, formation of pus. A 5 per cent. solution of gelatine is hæmostatic and excellent for the purpose named, as also is hydroxyl solution. When once hæmorrhage is arrested, the keratogenous membrane rapidly heals in consequence of its vascularity, and soon secretes fresh horn.
FRACTURES OF THE HORNS.
Etiology. Fractures of the horns, like fissures, are produced by violence, but of a more marked character. They are termed complete or incomplete, according as the entire thickness of the horn or only a portion of that thickness is involved.
The fracture may affect either the terminal half or the basilar half; or, again, it may have its seat in the frontal bone below the origin of the horn core, in which case a flake of bone will be detached. Such fractures assume varying forms, and may either be deeply excavated, oblique, smooth, regular or dentated.
