Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-07-15
FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP.

amined, the foot will be found hot and
tender. the horn softer than usual, and
there will be an enlargement about the
coronet, and slight separation OF the J
hoof from it, with portions of the horn
worn away, and ulcers formed below, and
"a discharge of Thin fetid matter. The IL
GERS, if neglected, continue to increase
they throw out fungous EXAMINATIONS
they separate the hoof more and more
from the parts beneath, until at length it
drops of. Il
All this is the consequence Of soft and
marshy pasture. The mountain OF the
down sheep-the sheep in whose walk
there is no poachy ground, if he is not
actually exposed to infection by means
. of the virus-knows nothing at all about
1T; it is in the yielding soil of the low
country that all the mischiefis done.
In attempting to explain this, the au-
thor can not do better than to have re-
course to much of the beautifully graph .
ic description of the healthy foot of the
sheep, and the changes which it under
goes, as given by his talented and excel
lent friend, Professor Dick, of Edin-
burgh.
The foot presents a structure and ar
rangement Of parts well adapted to the
natural habits of the animal. 1t is divi-
ded into two digits, or toes, which are
shod with a hoof composed Of different
parts, similar in many respects to the hoOf
of the horse. Each hOOf is principally
composed of the crust, or wall, and the
sole. The crust, extending along the
outside of the foot, round the toe, and
turning inward, Is confined about halfway
back between each toe on the inside
The sole fills the space on the interior
surface of the boot between those parts
of the crust, and being continued back
ward becomes softer as II proceeds. assu-
ming somewhat the structure of the sub
stance Of the frog, in the horse, and per-
forming at the same time, analogous func-
tons. The whole hoof, too, is secreted
from the vascular tissue underneath.
Now, this diversity of structure is for
particular purposes. The crust, like that
in the hoof Of the horse, being harder
and tougher than the sole, keeps up a
to sharp edge on the outer margin, and i:
! mainly intended to resist the wear-and-
tear to which the foot of the animal is ex-
nd posed. The soft pasturage on which the
The sheep is occasionly put, presents little, |.
any, Of that rough friction to which tbs
the feet of the animal is naturally intended
= to be exposed. The crust, thefore, grow.
unrestrained, until It either laps over tn,
SIX sole, ike the loose sole of an old shoe
and serves to retain and accumulate dir
Of and filth, or is broken of in detachet
parts; in some cases exposing the quic
and opening new pores, into which part
nd cles Of earth or sand force their way, III
-ere til, reaching the quick, an inflammation
had set up, which in its progress alters or de
az stroys the whole foot.
nv The finest and richest old pastures an
the lawns are particularly liable to this di:
rae ease, and so are soft, marshy, and lux
RANT meadows. It exists, to agreater {
less extent, in every situation that has
tendency to increase growth Of the hoo
without wearing them away.
,~i Sheep that are brought from an u
ter land range of pasturage are more pa
-. ticularly subject to it. This is very cas-
= Iy accounted for. Bymeans ofthe exc
80 else which the animal was compelled
: =, take on account of the scantier produ
- ton Of the upland pasture, and also
consequence Of the greater hardness
the ground, the hoof was wore down
fast as It grew; but on It's new and mo
habitation the hoofs not only continued
IL grow, but the rapidity ofthat growth "
AN' much increased, while the salutary fir
ton which kept the extension ofthe fc
done within bounds was altogether removed
laILs' When the nails Of the fingers or toes
the the human being exceed their prop
Id as length, they give him SO much uneasine
iglng as to induce him 10 pare them, or if
lklng negects this operation, they break. !
ID De can pare them after they are broken, a
De- the inconvenience soon ceases, and I
as 1t wound heals. When, however, the h,
euar; Of the sheep exceeds its natural lens
Tx OF and thickness, that animal has no pow
pro- to pare them down, but there continue
color. wound, irritated, and induced TO spre
IRE IN by the exposure of its surface, and
Milk introduction Of foreign and annoy
urs, II matters into 1t.
your The different parts Of the hoof. Ii
aldeu wise, deprived of their natural we
taken rrrovr- o,,f oF chair v,-Cro. ,,-,,,a-..z-