CHAPTER V. 

 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND SKIN 

 1. Foot Rot. 



In some parts of the country this is a very common dis- 

 ease. It resembles foul in the foot in cattle. 



Causes. — Foot rot is the result of irritation from various 

 causes, among which may be mentioned the splittirg of long 

 toes, continual dampness, as when pasturing on low, wet land 

 or being compelled to do. a great deal of tramping through 

 dirty, muddy yards. 



It is frequently of an infectious nature, being transmitted 

 from one to the other by coming in contact with the dis- 

 charge from infected feet. 



Symptoms. — There is stiffness and lameness and as the 

 disease develops little boils form about the top of the hoof. 

 These break and discharge, at which time the lameness be- 

 comes extreme. Finally, if allowed to continue to develop, 

 the hoofs loosen and fall off and the patient dies of ex- 

 haustion. 



Treatment. — Endeavor to ascertain the cause and remove 

 it, as that condition giving rise to the disease in one member 

 of the flock is likely to cause it to develop in another. 



Separate the affected sheep from the sound ones and put 

 the affected ones in a quiet, dry place. If caused by being 

 in a wet place, remove the sound ones to a dry field. Catch 

 the affected sheep, lay them on their sides, and bathe the feet 

 well with luke-warm water and soap, cleaning all the dirt 

 from between the trotters. As soon as you have bathed the 

 feet, poultice them with a hot poultice of half linseed meal 

 and half bran. Leave the poultice on all night, and poultice 

 every night until the sheep is better. Each time betore put- 

 ting on the poultice, and after taking it off, dress the foot 

 with white lotion containing a few drops of carbolic acid. If 

 this does not affect a cure, try the following mixture: 



Sweet Oil 4 ounces. 



Carbolic Acid 20 drops. 



Apply this the same as the lotion before putting on the 

 poultice and after taking it off. 



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