, 1861-07-25
AgtiepIipts.


Numerous experiments have shown this
disease 10 be highly contagious. A healthy
sheep, inocalated in the foot with virrs
from the ulcer Of q diseased animal, will be
sure to take the infection. It has spread
through large hocks by the introduction Of
q single infested animal; and it is believed
BY many experienced flock masters, that the
poison Is retained for long time in pastures
whsre such sheep have fed. As summer
comes Oh, the inexperienced owner Of sheep
may be surprised to see numbers of his
hock limping about the field; an expert will
ct once recognize symptoms Of the foot rot.
An examination Of the foot Of q sheep so
affected will show the presence Of disease in
the skin and flesh in the cleft Of the hoOC
10 the first stages, there Is Inflammation In
the hinder in part Of the cleft, where the
naked skin appears. liberation follows,
and extends 10 the whole inner part Of the
foot until in time the horny part is separated
from the fesh, and hangs BY the skin at the
upper part A most offensive discharge
issues from the sore, attracting the fy, which
deposits eggs in the diseased part, and the
whole becomes living mass Of corruption.
The rot may be confined to one foot, or It
may Affect all at the same time. Unless
cared, it will destroy the sheep, which must
suffer excruciating pain as the disease Tro-
gresseS In the latter case, when the foot is
completely disorganized, the poor animal is
ullen compelled to hobble about upon its
knees; and in many instances, the dis
charge from tho foot has saturated the wool,
attracting insects which have burrowed into
che skin and added to the torments Of the
sufferer. ttfh
Bot this disease can be cured. Mr.. Ran
ddll, in his SSheep Husbandry," gives an
account Of his successful treatment Of flock
numbering about,eight hundred head, that
look the rot from few imported animals.
Ills method was substantially as follows |.
Choose tins, II possible, Immediately afer
rain, when The hoo6 are sofened by the
vet araIs Drive them into an enclosure,
thickly littering with straw, to keep the feet
clean. Take each suspected sheep, lay It
partly on IL back and rump between the
lq1s of he operator, who may be seated on
chair. II Tie hools are too long, shorten
them with toenlppers. Remove all filth
fromthe toes By drawing . wet cloth through
Ne cInll. * fts.4@tF ttfslfs
Il iLs erosion and liberation are confined
q olhe cuticlo and desh in the cleft above the
walla Of the hoof no pairing Is necessary.
But n the liberation is established between
the hoof and the heshy sole, the liberated
parts mus be entirely donuded by their
horny covering, by pairing with q sharp
knife. In an advanced stage Of the disease,
Il may Be necessary 70 remove the entire
hoof - all loose horn should be cut away.
II mnQ1otIappeal pour on . little spirits Of
iupcniino, and they will leave. Then
clo1nse ihe foot with wash made Of one
pound Of chloride of lims 70 one gallon Of
walor; or with water alone, heated 10 near
scsldIng. II there be proud flesh, : remove
L wIIh schhorl, o. By burning with . hot
iron. If tlo disease Is In the first or second
stage, nnd 20 absoosana are formed In the
nolh Of ~, sole, . thorough application Of
. saturated goluiion Of blue vitriol will be
uu|ic'onk Cue pound Of vitriol will suffice
for ten or fllesu sheep. Put the solution in
hand. and Mhln lEe hoof L pared hold The
sheep % that be WI stand IN the tub five
ninulos Keep the evolution hot BY adding
1111h supplies. II aAScessos are already
formed, 70 over tie dlNoasod surface with.
n,nIiliic Add which may Be conveniently
nprIi11 uilh aunb Of tow ufsr which ap-
~ ~ rifriol solution. Then coat the
Wornde1 surface with Tar, 70 keep opt dirt
nnI hIut Exsmhe It every three or four
days. and repeat tho treatment II needed,
end : c''tp nay b looked for with reasona.
BE e,1I |qJs - ists