On Merino Sheep. 39 



but it availed nothing. I would therefore caution sheep- 

 breeders, against the use of Indian corn, without a very 

 strict regard to the quantity, more especially for suckling 

 ewes, for though it may be a hearty, invigorating food 

 when given in moderation, I shall ever believe it a dan- 

 gerous one, where the sheep have it in their power to 

 consume more than a gill at a meal. 



VL Foot rot. During the last summer, several sheep 

 in my flock were affected with a disease, which I soon 

 conjectured to be a mild stage of ^'' the foot roty It 

 made its appearance within the cleft of the hoof towards 

 the heel, at first in a slight irritation where the parts rub 

 together, which was soon followed by the discharge of a 

 watery humour and a separation of that part of the hoof 

 from the skin, attended at the same time by considerable 

 heat in the whole foot, and lameness. The late heavy 

 rains which have kept my pastures constantly wet, have 

 caused its return, and the experience of the present sea- 

 son, has thoroughly confirmed me in the opinion I at first 

 formed. I have now seen this disease in its second stage, 

 as described by Mr. Pictet, in which, suppuration has 

 taken place within the hoof, aiid considerable quantities 

 of foetid matter were discharged. 



The only remedy I have used is, to cleanse the dis- 

 eased part thoroughly with strong soap-suds or ley, and 

 wiping it dry, to dip the whole foot in sturgeon oil : some- 

 times inserting a pledget of rag wet with the oil, withiQ 

 the cleft of the hoof, which defends the sore from dirt, 

 and prevents irritation from the friction of the parts toge« 

 ther. One or two dressings of this kind apphed in the 

 commencement of the disease, seldom fail to cure. 



This disease, which is certainly not contagious, may 

 safely be attributed to wet pastures ; being confined last 

 summer exclusively to those merinos, which were kept 



