680 MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP DISEASES 



nally, and gorged with blood within. They appear in some 

 seasons about the coronet and lower parts of the legs. The 

 affection is not contagious, although it breaks out in a flock 

 suddenly, and at times attacks the greater number of them 

 more or less seriously. Clover is thought to produce it, by 

 mechanically irritating the skin of the legs frequently when 

 sheep are on pasture in autumn, and it usually disappears 

 when the flock is put on roots. Sheep fall off much in 

 condition, and in some of the more aggravated cases die of 

 blood-poisoning, pus having found its way into the blood by 

 absorption of the fetid discharge which comes from the sores 

 in the later stages of their development. The remedies are, 

 to remove the sheep from the conditions under which the 

 malady broke out, and to dress the affected parts without 

 delay with the hot iron, or with carbolic, caustic, or acid 

 applications. 



Dew-rot is a cause of lameness which appears in April, 

 and even to a greater extent in autumn, in damp, foggy 

 weather, or when there are sudden changes of temperature 

 at night, resulting in frosts or heavy dews. It appears at 

 first in the form of white blisters, between the digits, or on 

 the anterior surface of the coronet. The hair falls off the 

 affected parts, which are left bare, and in a short time become 

 open sores. If they are not at once treated by using a 

 stimulating embrocation, after opening them with a knife, 

 the inflammation and irritation spread until the whole foot- 

 structure is involved, and the ultimate condition becomes 

 something like an aggravated form of foot-rot, the horny 

 parts sloughing off. When it takes this serious form, the 

 proper treatment is to poultice with tar, bran, or linseed 

 cake (ground and " burst " with hot water), to reduce inflam- 

 mation, allay pain, and keep dirt from the wounds. Sheep 

 thus affected fall very much off in condition, but there is no 

 fear of death if proper precautions be taken. 



The disease is reported to have appeared in Gloucester- 

 shire, for the first time, about 1870. Some places are more 

 subject to it than others. The pastures are frequently worst 

 which have not a good aspect, such as those lying away from 

 the sun. Immediate and constant attention is positively 

 necessary, to prevent the development of the mature form of 

 the disease ; and the whole flock must be removed, and put 



