Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

FOUL IN THE FOOT.
the fetlock. There are two sets of pasterns, two coffin-bones, and
two hoofs to each leg. The shank-bone is double in the foetus, but
the cartilaginous substance between the two larger metacarpals is
afterwards absorbed, and they become one bone ; the lower bones,
however, -continue separate. Each division has its own ligaments
and tendons, and is- covered by its own integument. This gives rise
to various inflammations and lamenesses, which have been confounded
under the very objectionable term of
FOUL IN THE FOOT.
Hard and irritating substances often insinuate themselves between
the claws, and, becoming fixed there, and wounding the claws on onp
or both sides, become a source of great annoyance, pain, and inflammation,
and the beast suddenly becomes lame, and the pasterns are
much swelled. . They should be carefully examined, the interposed
substance should be removed, the wound washed thoroughly clean,
and a pledget of tow, dipped in Friar's balsam, or covered with healing
ointment, introduced between the claws, and there confined by
means of a roller. Lameness from this cause will, in general, be
readily removed.
The foot being thus divided, and the ox unexpectedly treading on
an uneven surface, or being compelled long to do so when ploughing
a steep field, the weight of the animal will be unequally distributed
on the pasterns, and severe sprain will be the result. This is indicated
by the sudden lameness which comes on, and by the swelling,
and heat, and tenderness being confined to one claw, and referable to
the fetlock or pastern, or coffin-joints. Rest and fomentation, or the
application of cold, with bleeding from the veins of the coronet, will
usually remove this kind of lameness. The bleeding may be easily
effected by means of a small fleam or lancet, for the veins of the
foot of the ox are large and tortuous, and rise distinctly above the
coronet, and climb up the pastern. It is the increased vascularity
which often gives so serious a character / to sprains of the coffin or
pastern-joints in the ox, and disposes to stiffness of these joints.
The foot of the ox, or that part which is enclosed within the horny
box, is liable to the same injuries and diseases as that of the horse ;
but they generally are not so difficult to treat, nor do they produce
such destructive consequences, because the weight of the animal
being divided between the two claws, the first concussion or injury
is not so great, and the animal is able afterwards to spare the injured
claw, by throwing a considerable portion or the whole of the weight
on the sound one. Injuries of the feet arise from pricking in shoeing,
wounds from nails or glass, or from the sole being bruised, and sometimes
the horn being worn almost through, by travelling or working
on hard roads.
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