10 Jlly. 1019.] Foot Rot in Sheep. 409 



Thus, if this principle were adopted in new factories to be erected, the plant 

 required beyond the infusion stage need be only one-third the capacity otherwise 

 required, and an important saving of capital effected, while at the same time a 

 large part of the working staff could be given continuous employment instead of 

 for only a short part of the year. 



(Signed) A. N. PEARSON. 



FOOT ROT IN SHEEP. 



W. M. Lerew, Veterinary Officer. 



While foot rot is frequently found in sheep, cattle also sometimes 

 suffer from it. It is prevalent in low-lying country, where the damp- 

 ness causes a softening of the horn tissue, and a favorable field for the 

 growth of the specific cause, evidently some organism that exists in 

 Dadly drained land, dirty yards, &c. The trouble may be spread by 

 immediate contact. It is confined to the foot, but the swelling may 

 extend a little above the coronet. The primary lesion is an inflamma- 

 tion of the coronary-band, extending to the sensitive laminae and 

 becoming septic. 



The first symptom to be noticed is slight lameness, which gradually 

 becomes worse till the animal is unable to walk owing to the pain in the 

 affected part. Examination shows great tenderness, the coronet is 

 swollen, and a foul discharge exudes between the claws. The discharge 

 induces further destruction of tissue, the claws gradually separating 

 from the foot till they fall off. The animal will lose flesh, and soon 

 die, unless attended to. If proper treatment, however, is adopted, 

 recovery will generally follow. 



The first step, if treatment is to be successful, is to isolate the 

 diseased animal in a clean, dry, well-drained paddock. Carefully 

 examine each foot, and, with a sharp knife, remove all loose horn, and 

 trim up the foot. In the early stages, a foot bath, containing a 5 

 per cent, solution of copper sulphate, or a 5 per cent, solution of 

 formalin, will speedily check the disease. Another bath may be made 

 up of — arsenic, 2 ozs., and washing soda, 4 ozs., boiled in one gallon of 

 water till the arsenic is dissolved. This solution should be used when 

 cool, and, in view of its poisonous nature, sheep must not be put 

 through a bath of it when thirsty. 



In the later stages of the disease treatment will have to be con- 

 tinued for a considerable period. The sheep should then be put through 

 the foot bath three times a week. If large numbers are to be treated, 

 an ordinary dipping race could be used, or a shallow wooden trough may 

 be made, the solution being put in to a depth of about 3 inches, 

 Allow each animal to stand in the bath for one minute, and avoid splash- 

 ing, if possible; then place in a dripping pen till the feet are dry. If. 

 only a few sheep are affected, they may be treated individually, the 

 diseased part being dressed with an ointment consisting of 5 per cent, 

 carbolic acid, or 5 per cent, iodine, in vaseline. The foot should then 

 be bandaged. Methylated tincture of iodine painted on will also prove 

 very beneficial, but is rather expensive, unless for use in the case of stud 

 sheep. 



