DOMESTIC AMMALS, 737 



Memarks. — Some persons have recommended tar a sa cure for the disease, but 

 in my estimation there is nothing curative in it; but if the disease is lirst killed 

 by the use of this acid mixture, or some of those below, then immediately 

 apply tar over the affected part, it will protect the foot from the dampness of 

 the ground and help to hold the acid mixture in place to make a more certain 

 and positive cure. This acid mixture I am much in favor of, as it is very much 

 like the celebrated Longworth cure of scrofula in persons. He puts 2 coppers 

 into 1 oz. of nitric acid on a plate, and when eifervescence ceases, t. e., after it 

 ceases to eat the copper any more, he then adds 2 ozs. of pure vinegar; then, 

 with a swab, wash the scrofulous sores twice daily; and if it causes too much 

 pain, reduce, so it can be borne, with a little rainwater. One man is reported 

 in my " Second Receipt Book " as using this mixture upon his ankle for four- 

 teen months, which effected a perfect cure, after years of suffering. The cop- 

 per not only neutralizes much of the strength of either of the acids, but it adds 

 to their power of destroying or killing the disease in sheep's feet, or on the 

 scrofulous sores of persons, as above indicated. The difference, it will be seen, 

 is, that for the foot-rot 2 ozs. of the acid is used to 1 of water, while for the 

 scrofula 1 oz. only of the acid is used to 2 of vinegar, and this to be still 

 reduced with water if need be, although the stronger it can be borne upon the 

 scrofulous sore, the sooner will be the cure. There are those who think foot- 

 rot in sheep, like scrofula, is a disease of the blood; but I think not, but that it 

 is contagious and wholly external; while in treating scrofula internal altera 

 tives should be taken to make the quicker cure, still there can be no objection 

 to the mixture of sulphur and salt, as given above, being placed where the sheep 

 can have daily access to it. Persons should also take the sulphur mixture as 

 given under the head of scrofula, which see. 



Sheep, Foot-Rot in— A Flockmaster's Sure Cure for.— A corre 

 spondent signing himself " Flockmaster," writing to the Post and Tribune, says; 

 "I have seen for the last year, inquiries for what will cure foot-root in sheep, 

 and for the sake of the valuable animal I will give to the readers of the Posx 

 and Tribune a sure cure for the disease in all its stages: Muriatic acid, 3 ozs.: 

 butter of antimony and corrosive sublimate; each, 1 oz. Mix in an open- 

 mouthed bottle. Take the sheep and cut the decaying hoof away to the quick 

 of the foot, as long as any opening can be found penetrating deeply into the 

 hoof, but avoid making it bleed. [He don't tell us why, but blood neutralizes 

 the butter of antimony.] Then with a smooth, sharp stick dip in the bottle and 

 thoroughly rub the foot all over. It is a harsh treatment, but I wUl warrant a 

 cure every time, if it is thoroughly applied." 



Remarks. — He gives us no address, still I have no doubt of its efficacy. He 

 Bays to " lub the foot all over," by which I suppose he means only the diseased 

 part or parts, as it is no object to put it oii the sound parts of the hoof; but a 

 soft cord or string wet with it may be drawn between the hoofs, if there is any 

 disease there. Care should always be used not to apply too freely, nor to get 

 any of these mixtures upon your person, eyes, etc.; and don't let them lay 

 around loose for children to get at, as they are poisonous as well as corrosive 

 and destructive to healthy parts as well as to the diseased part. 



