Extent of sinuses in cattle. Causes, blows, unequal teams, locking
horns, fracture. Pathology. Congestion, exudation, suppuration,
swelling and closure of outlet, prostration, fever, agalactia, septic
infection, ulceration, exclusion of oxygen. Symptoms. Crimson
hæmorrhage, disturbed breathing, appetite, rumination, position of
head and eyelids, percussion and temperature of forehead, fever.
Chronic form. Slow progress, emaciation, anorexia, facial expression,
hide, discharge, breath heavy or fœtid. Duration. Prognosis. Lesions
in sinuses and glands. Treatment. Cold irrigation, icebags, elevation
of head, laxatives, diuretics, dehorning, trephining, injections,
astringent, antiseptic, blister, tonics.
The gravity of this affection is a consequence of the great extent of
the delicate mucous membrane which lines the frontal sinus. This cavity
not only occupies the whole forehead from beneath the eyes up to the
frontal crest, but extends, in the mature horned animal, into the
tapering bony process which forms the basis of support for the horn. The
mucosa is rendered all the more extensive by the numerous pillars and
septa that pass from the outer bony plate to the inner, giving great
strength to the part for purposes of offense and defence. Inflammation
of this membrane is usually the result of blows on the horns, and these
are much more common among working oxen than dairy cows. The immediate
cause is violent contact with the yoke when the head is lowered at
pasture, and from blows of a club in the hands of the driver. In
countries where the yoke is a broad padded board hung from the horns and
resting on the forehead traumatic injuries are much more common. The
active and vigorous animal gets the greater part of the work, and the
wrench and jar may induce hæmorrhage and catarrh. If the yoke is
ill-made or badly fitted the case is worse. The blows sustained by horn
or forehead in an ordinary fight, may also be the cause, and a partial
or complete fracture of the bony support is especially hurtful when the
detached horn is replaced so as to close in the cavity. Blows on the
frontal crest are also dangerous.
The _pathology_ of the disease consists in an inflammation of the mucosa
of the sinus, and the filling of that cavity with blood or, later, with
a muco-purulent fluid, the escape of which is prevented by the closure
of the nasal outlet by swelling. This of itself produces violent
headache and much nervous disorder as witnessed by the drooping head,
closed eyelids, prostration, high fever, anorexia, and in cows
suppression of the milk secretion. But there is reason to believe that
this is aggravated by the septic germs, which inspired with the air,
were already present in the sinus, and which in the comparative absence
of oxygen, in a rich culture medium and in contact with injured and
debilitated tissues, assume an enhanced pathogenic rôle. This may serve
to explain the ulceration of the mucosa of the sinus found in subjects
that have suffered for some time. It further explains the notorious fact
that the free access of air (oxygen) to the inflamed sinus is one of the
most helpful therapeutic measures.
_Symptoms of the Acute Form._ When the disease is traumatic the first
symptom is usually a hæmorrhage from the nose, the blood being of a
bright crimson. Respiration is hurried, and appetite diminished, yet
rumination may be imperfectly performed. The bleeding may be repeated
for days in succession, but the ox is still capable of work. On the
fifth or sixth day there is complete anorexia, rumination ceases, the
head sinks resting on the manger or soil, the ears droop forward and
downward, and may be swollen. The head inclines to the affected side,
the corresponding horn is intensely hot, and the eyes are closed. Light
percussion of the forehead on the affected side gives pain, and the
sound elicited is flat and dull as compared with that from the opposite
side. The temperature of the body rises 2° or more, the pulse becomes
frequent, full and hard and the impulse of the heart abnormally strong.
Costiveness, partially suppressed and high colored urine, and dry hot
muzzle betray the fever. Unless relieved the chronic form may supervene.
SYMPTOMS OF THE CHRONIC FORM. When this comes on slowly, working oxen
get emaciated, lose appetite, have the eyes dull and sunken, and the
lids drooping, the coat rough and staring and the skin harsh, dry, and
lacking in pliancy, the head is carried low when out of the yoke and,
after shaking the head and sneezing, a glairy, slightly fœtid matter
escapes from the nostril. The breath is fœtid and appears to be
offensive to adjacent cattle.
This may continue for months with no other change than a more constant
nasal discharge, and increasing emaciation and weakness.
_Prognosis._ This is favorable for the acute disease at the outset. But
if no relief is furnished it is liable to go on to a fatal issue. Even
the chronic form is curable unless the subject has already become
hopelessly weak and debilitated.
In _fatal cases_ the sinuses are found to be filled with a glairy fluid
and the mucosa thickened and raw or ulcerated. There may be enlargement
of the pharyngeal lymphatic glands, and there may be attendant
pharyngitis.
_Treatment._ The patient must have absolute rest and cold water
irrigation or icebags applied to the head. The bowels may be opened by a
saline, or a diuretic administered. If the head is persistently dropped
it may be kept moderately elevated by a halter tied to a higher point.
Should there be no relief at the end of twenty-four hours, no time
should be lost in securing free admission of air to the cavity. Cruzel
advises to saw off the horn at its base, as the one certain method of
securing prompt improvement and speedy recovery. If a horn and its bony
support have been broken off they should be at once removed and the head
turned up to evacuate the accumulated glairy fluid from the sinus. From
an apparently hopeless condition a few hours will suffice to restore an
appearance of good health. If the horn has not been broken and it is
desirable to save it, the bone may be trephined in front of the root of
the horn and the liquid evacuated, or less effectively and more
painfully the horn may be bored at its root by a large gimlet.
If no hæmorrhage has taken place and if active treatment has been
adopted at the outset recovery may be complete in two or three days, but
if the disease has been ushered in by a hæmorrhage which recurs several
days in succession, amputation of the horn or trephining will be
demanded. In chronic cases this should be followed by astringent and
antiseptic injections and a blister may be applied to the throat or the
side of the neck. In these cases too a course of mineral tonics is
desirable.