FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 401 



the inner walls of the claws, and separates it from the sensitive 

 structures within ; as in the other form, the exposed structures 

 soon sprout, forming fungoid growths, which discharge a little 

 foetid ichor. 



The lameness increases in severity as the disease advances, 

 and in a few days the animal presents a lank appearance, and 

 begins to lose condition. 



In some cases the sensitive structures of the affected foot or 

 feet lose their cohesion, and the horny walls hang loose around 

 them, separated from the inflamed tissues within, except at the 

 upper edge of the foot. The horny sole crumbles away as seen 

 in Fig. 77, the sensitive tissues are exposed, and soon sprout as 

 masses of fungus. The animal is now unable to put its lame 

 feet to the ground, and will crawl on its knees, if the fore feet 

 only be affected, and upon its abdomen, if the hind ones be the 

 seat of the disease. 



If the hoofs are not shed, it is found that the continual irri- 

 tation gives rise to an augmented but intermitting secretion of 

 horn, the hoof becomes crooked, hard, deformed, large in size, 

 and covered with rings. 



The disease — ^like that described by Mr. Fleming — " affects 

 one or more feet; but ordinarily one, and passes to the others;" 

 but sometimes only a single claw is affected. 



It is important that the differential symptoms of foot-rot and 

 foot-and-mouth disease in sheep be correctly understood. 



From what has been stated, foot-rot commences either upon 

 the solar aspect of the foot or in the inter-digital tissues. In the 

 one case it begins below, in the other above; and by diffusion of 

 the inflammation and burrowing of the pus extends along the 

 inner aspect of the digits downwards to the sole, and sometimes 

 upwards through the coronary structures, forming sinuses and 

 ulcers above the hoof, occasionally, but very rarely, involving 

 the tendons and bones, and causing sloughing of the whole foot, 

 there being at all times a strong tendency to the gxowth of 

 fungus from every exposed part of the foot. 



Now, in foot-and-mouth disease — eczema contagiosa — the 

 local symptoms are first manifested by redness of the 

 skin surrounding the coronet, this redness commencing very 

 often as a mere spot exactly above the inter-digital space, 

 particularly at the heels, then extending all round the coro- 



2d 



