CAUSES OF FOOT-ROT. 



191 



circiimstancos ; and the necessary consequence is an 

 overgrowth of the hoof. The crust, — the part natu- 

 rally intended to support the weight of the animal, and 

 to endure the greatest share of fatigue, — is here al- 

 -owed to grow out of all due bounds, because the soft- 

 ness of the pasturages, upon which it now moves, pre- 

 sents little, if any, of that rough friction to which the 

 feet of the animal is naturally intended to be exposed. 

 The crust, therefore, grows unrestrained, until it either 

 laps over the sole, like the loose sole of an old shoe, 

 and serves to retain and accumulate earth and filth, or 

 is broken off in detached parts, in some cases exposing 

 the quick, or opening new pores, into which the par- 

 ticles of earth or sand force their way, until reaching 

 the quick, an inflammation is set up, which, in its pro- 

 gress, alters or destroys the whole foot." 



***** 

 ** The finest and richest old pastures and lawns are 

 particularly liable to this disease ; soft, marshy, and 

 luxuriant meadows are equally so ; and it is also found 

 in light, soft or sandy districts. In the first of these 

 it is perhaps most prevalent in a moist season, and in 

 the latter in a dry one ; in short, it exists to a greater 

 or less extent in every situation which has a tendency 

 to increase the growth of the hoofs without wearing 

 them away, and more especially where they are kept 

 Soft by moisture. It is so prevalent in fine lawns and 

 pleasure grounds, that they are, in many instances, 

 reduced in value to a mere trifle as a pasture for sheep ; 

 they are said to be infected with this disease, and hav- 

 ing once become so, the vicissitudes of seven seasons 

 are scarcely sufficient to destroy the contagion! A 



