406 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



and the alkali should be put in boiling water together, in a boiler 

 large in proportion to the quantity of water it iy to contain, and 

 for the reason that the liquid is apt to rise suddenly; the carbonic 

 acid, combined with the alkali, is disengaged by the process of 

 boiling,and during its escape causes rapid ebullition. For thesame 

 reason the water, after the addition of the powder, niust be slowly 

 boiled for some time, or until the arsenic is entirely dissolved. 



The sheep are to be driven through the trough containing 

 the arsenical solution once a week ; if it is thought necessary to 

 repeat it oftener, the liquid is to be weakened in strength by tlie 

 addition of water. 



To prevent the sheep jumping out of the trough as they are 

 being driven through, it it will be necessary to place hurdles at 

 the sides; and it is important that it be borne in mind that the 

 sheep be folded for a short time in a place where neither they 

 nor any other animal can have a chance of grazing, or the conse- 

 quences might prove disastrous. 



The Messrs. Archibald state that this, if applied about the 

 middle of July, is not only the best preventative but the best cure 

 of the disease, provided always that all loose and detached horn 

 is carefully removed. 



There are a great many so-called specifics for foot-rot ; if looked 

 into, however, they resolve themselves into caustics of various 

 kinds. I have found the terchloride of antimony (butyr of anti- 

 mony) as effectual, and much less painful to the animal, than any 

 other caustic. If the fungoid growths be very prominent, it may be 

 necessary to employ a strong acid ; in such a case nitric acid, care- 

 fully and sparingly applied by means of a leather to the surface of 

 the growths, may be used with advantage ; where there are no 

 fungoid growths, but merely a scalding between the claws, the 

 tincture of the terchloride of iron diluted with an equal quantity 

 of water is a very good application. In addition, I would sug- 

 gest, that after the feet are dressed with any of the above-named 

 remedies the exposed surfaces miglit be brushed over with a 

 quick-drying varnish, or a solution of gutta-percha, in order to 

 afford an artificial covering to the inflamed and irritable tissues. 



When the fungoid growths are not very large, a solution of 

 sulphate of copper may be used, and the sheep driven slowly 

 through it, or kept in it Jfor a few minutes. 



If necrosis of the bones occurs, amputation, if confined to one 

 foot, might be resorted to, in order to save a valuable ram or ewe. 



