_The treatment is surgical and medicinal_. Small, external tumors may be
removed by an operation. Sometimes an incision is made into the diseased
tissue and a caustic preparation introduced.

The most desirable method of treatment is the administration of large doses
of iodide of potassium in a drench, or in the drinking water. The dose is
from one to three drachms daily for a period of seven to fourteen days. The
size of the dose depends on the size of the animal and its susceptibility
to iodism. An animal weighing 1000 pounds may be given two drachms. The
treatment is kept up until the symptoms of iodism develop. The condition is
indicated by a loss of appetite and a catarrhal discharge from the eyes and
nostrils. When this occurs, the treatment should be stopped, and the animal
drenched with one-half pound of Epsom salts, and the dose repeated after
three or four days. After an interval of two weeks, the iodide of potassium
treatment should be repeated if the growth of the tumor is not checked.

EMPHYSEMATOUS ANTHRAX, "BLACK LEG."--"Black leg" is an acute infectious
disease of cattle that is characterized by lameness and superficial
swellings in the region of the shoulder, quarter or neck. The swellings are
hot and painful and usually contain gas.

_The specific cause_ of "black leg" is a rod-shaped, spore-producing germ,
the bacillus of emphysematous anthrax (Fig. 119). This germ possesses great
vitality, and may live indefinitely in the soil. It has been known to live
for years in clay and undrained soils. Young animals that are in high
condition are predisposed to the disease.

The germ enters the body through abrasions in the skin and mucous membrane
of the mouth and intestines.