CAUSES OP FOOT-ROT. 



Ii>3 



to a proper degree of friction to wear down the hoofs, 

 but the growth of the hoofs is materially increased by 

 the soft and moist state in which they are kept. And this 

 state renders the feet the more liable to the disease, as 

 it opens up the pores of the horn, and allows the earth 

 or sand to penetrate, and wound the quick, in the 

 manner I have already stated. On soft sandy ground, 

 of a dry nature, the same circumstances may occur. 

 The soft sand gives way by the weight of the animal, 

 and the crust of the hoof is not worn down. The sand 

 penetrates between the sole and the crust, as has been 

 already explained, and produces inflammation. The 

 disease, however, is not so common on sand as in the 

 er situations to which I have alluded, the sand 

 Idom being found in such a loose state.'* 

 Another variety of foot-rot is produced by the fric- 

 tion of long grass between the hoofs, but is mostly con- 

 fined to hill sheep, when first pastured on lowland dis- 

 tricts. These animals, from having been accustomed 

 to collect their food on extensive ranges of bare pasture, 

 are more exposed than heavy breeds to this frequent 

 exciting cause of the complaint. The rubbing of the 

 grass frets the skin in the cleft of the hoof, the gland 

 in that situation swells, becomes enlarged, and sup- 

 purates, and in no long time the animal is compelled to 

 rest upon its knees.* This complaint is, however, more 



• Fig. 5. Plate. I. Gives a view of the inner surface of the toe of a 

 sheep, with the iaterdigital gland laid open. 



g. The gland. 



d. The duct of the gland, opening upon the anterior surface of the 

 leg. 



When the interdigital gland is much enlarged, it becomes necessary 

 to cut it out. Tliis ought to be a last resource, as the part appears to 

 be of too much importance to be easily dispensed with. 



