198 On the Hoof disease. 



and growing much smaller from the hoofs to halfway 

 between the fetlock and hock ; at which point it ap- 

 peared as if a string of twine were tied very tight round 

 the leg;. Above this part the flesh was to all appearance 

 in perfect health ; the lower part was hard, black, and of- 

 fensive. When the lower part became quite dry, and 

 little else than bone, it separated and fell off, after which 

 the animals lived and ate heartily, hobbling along on the 

 remaining stumps. They even began to grow fat. Their 

 health seemed perfect. They w ould no doubt have lived 

 long in this state, and were killed only from motives of 

 compassion. 



One cow belonging to my father, which had lost only 

 one of her hind feet, and that at the first joint above the 

 foot, bore a very strong vigorous calf, which lived and 

 did well. The cow also afforded as much milk after, as 

 before her misfortune, and was pastured on the same 

 grass to which her disease was attributed when in the 

 state of hay, 



I think the disease was never known but one season. 

 The firbt symptom of it was observable in February, and 

 it reached its crisis about the middle of May. Should 

 this communication lead to any further observations on 

 the nature and cause of the disease, I shall be much 

 pleased, and they may be of great service to the agricul- 

 turalist. Should the disease ever again make its appear- 

 ance, I shall be more particular in my observations. 

 I remain, very respectfully, 



VVm. T. Woodmax. 



P. S. It should be observed, that though we have 

 every year more or less of the ergot, the quantity of it 

 is never considerable. I think there is seldom more 

 than one pint to a hundred bushels of rve. 



Different remedies were tried, but none of them af- 

 forded any relief. 



