Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-03-08
OBJ farmer.


Flockmasters in Germany separate
The diseases incidental to The foot of +
The sheep into two kinds-infectious $,
and -non-infectious; or better. into "
the yirulent and mild foot-rot; for s.
althoughtt,e common foot-rot is there c
considered by some as non-infectious, :
it is, perhaps, only comparatively SO, IL
being attended with little or no aan- /,
ger, ard often disappearing without /
the application Of a remedy, although ,
through neglect, it may degenerate |
into the yirulent or infectious state.
The following remarks relate to the
disease introduced into England Of
late years. In Germany, they trace
its origin in that country to the in
PRODUCTION Of the Merino sheep. II
first shows itself in the limping gait
of the animal, which gradually in
creases: generally commencing with
one Of the fore feet, afterwards both
are afs.eted, and at last this lame
ness extends to the hinder feet, with
increasing bodily weakness.
The diseased foot is hot, and is Of
ten swollen round the hoof, which is
more open or wider apart than on the
sound foot, and the cornet is IN
famed. An unpleasant smelling hu-
NOR exudes, which thickens on expo
sure to the atmosphere, and not only
inlames and destroys the immediate
ly surrounding skin, but often pene-
frates between the horn Of the hoof
and the foot itself, the horny part
partially separating from the flesh:
and in the worst cases, an entire sep
araiion Of the hoof takes place, and
if neglected, destroying the muscles
and sinews, and attacking even the
bones Of the feet; in which condition
the poor animal moves about On its
knees, or helplessly lies dogn, the
whole system gradually becomes poi
soned, and although generally with
nnimpaired appetite, it wastes away
until death releases it from suffering.
The worst form Of this disease is
not SO often met with in the coarser
Merino flocks, as in those where ey-
cry care is taken in improving the
fneness and quality Of the wool, by
which means they are rendered more
susceptible to the changes of tenn
perature and weather. It is of very
infeciious nature, if proper precaution
be not taken, spreading through an
entire flock 10 a month or two. and is
often introduced by merely driving
sound sheep over land where diseased
sheep have been short time previ'
Ously. z o9a
Precaution is the oldest and best
remedy; but though cleanliness
wholesome food, and attention to the
flock in wet and inclement weather
wilI-not always keep the disaster
away, as long as there are SO many
channels for introducing it, should il
exist in the neighborhood, the shep'
herd must keep a yigilant eye on his
flock; sheep observed to be lame
must be Immediately examined. i
a small eruption or pimple appears
on the skin between the hoots (cor'
net and the foot is unnaturally hot
the disease has made its appearance
and no time must be lost in applying
n remedy; the diseased sheep must
be kept by itself, and all the flock
very carefully examined.
With sheep knife, remove the
scab or pimple, clean out the wound
TO the sound flesh, wash it with salt
and water, and then do it over with
strong nitric acid. If the disease
has. advanced under the horn Of the
booe. All the unsound flesh, together
with the horn: must be carefully re-
moved, the wound washed out WITH
brine, and strong nitric acid applied
Some recommend using sulphate o.
copper instead of brine, and butter o.
antimony in the place OF nitric ACID
but With the brine and acid, a cure is
generally effected in eight or ten
days. Another remedy is, concen-
trated solution Of chloride Of calcium
dissolved in water. After the feet
are we'll washed and cleaned, and all
diseased parts removed, they are care
fully painted over with the chloride
as hrr as the ankle,joint, using a
small painters brush for the purpose;
and it's best to apply it also to those
which have only heat in their feet.
It's safe and good remedy.
An old German shepherd recon. !.
mends q composition consisting o.