REPORT ON FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 31. 



consequently inflammation ensues and progresses rapidly. As 

 the disease increases, ulcers are formed, which separate the hoof 

 more and more, discharging a thin fcetid matter, emitting a strong 

 smell, and by degrees the foot becomes a total mass of ulcers 

 and proud flesh. In other cases, the disease breaks out in the 

 inside of the toe, and progresses beneath the hom around the 

 outside of the foot ; and sometimes the heel is first affected. In 

 parks where the pasture is soft and rank, the disease assumes the 

 same appearance in old sheep as upon hill pasture ; but in hogs 

 and lambs it generally commences between the hoofs near the 

 heel, the crust or horn being comparatively sound. In these 

 cases, when the animal is caught and examined in the first stage 

 of the disease, the skin presents a red and tender appearance, and 

 has much the same aspect as what is termed scad in the young- 

 child. As the disease advances the flesh becomes putrefied, and 

 a thick adhesive matter accumulates. By degrees the malady 

 extends round the heel beneath the horn, till the whole foot is 

 affected ; and if allowed to run its course for a length of time, a 

 cure is seldom effected till the whole crust is taken off on the side 

 of the foot affected. In such cases, if the disease is not checked and 

 energetically treated, it spreads rapidly through a flock of lambs, 

 and very often the whole four feet are attacked at the same time. 

 Causes. — It is evident to the practical stocksman that the 

 cause of foot-rot in sheep is attributable to the soil and pasture. 

 For example, we have never known a case occur on the hard 

 mountainous districts of Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire, or Argyle- 

 shire ; but on very soft, grassy land, it abounds in every county 

 that we are acquainted with. It prevails to a great extent 

 among the flocks in the fine grassy pastoral ranges of Koxburgh- 

 shire and Dumfriesshire ; and even on some rich pastoral farms 

 in Peeblesshire it exists to a greater or less extent ; whereas 

 upon hard, heathery farms, lying contiguous, it is unknown, 

 although the sheep are daily intermixing. Certain seasons have 

 great influence in propagating the disease. For instance, the 

 wet summer of 1862 was noted for its prevalence. In no former 

 year do we remember it having been so general, breaking out, as 

 it did, on some farms where it was never known to exist before. 

 Again, some persons of practical experience maintain that it 

 is always worst in a dry season ; and in support of this theory 

 they point to the fact, that diseased sheep are always more lame 

 on a dry day. There is, no doubt, some truth in the statement, 

 but it can easily be accounted for on a common sense view of the 

 case. When the foot is diseased and tender, the animal sets it 

 more freely to the ground when the pasture is moist and soft. 

 This, however, is only temporary relief ; the pain is assuaged, but 

 the disease is aggravated. This fact may easily be ascertained 

 by any one who practically comes into contact with foot-rot. A 



