194, 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



readily remedied than the former, and does not cause 

 nearly so much suffering' to the sheep. 



(154.) Treatment and Prevention of Foot-rot. As 

 foot-rot, in nine cases out of ten, is an attempt on the 

 part of nature to get rid of a portion of the hoof, which 

 ought, in the proper course of things, to have been 

 worn away as fast as it appeared, the prevention and 

 treatment of the first stage of the complaint vvill natu- 

 rally suggest themselves. " As this disease," says Mr 

 Dick, at the conclusion of the aforementioned paper, 

 " arises in consequence of the hoofs not being exposed 

 to sufficient friction to wear them down, or keep them 

 in their proper state, or where their natural growth is 

 increased by the nature and moisture of the ground, 

 the hoofs of all the flock should be regularly rasped or 

 pared at short intervals, say from eight days to a fort- 

 night, according to the rapidity with which a particular 

 pasture produces the disease. In certain situations, 

 they might be made to travel upon a hard surface, 

 similar to natural sheep tracts, or be folded in a place 

 purposely prepared, upon which they could move about 

 and wear their hoofs. For that purpose, they should 

 be placed in it every day." 



When foot-rot has fairly commenced, pare the hoof 

 from the affected part, and trim away any ragged por- 

 tions, wash the foot with soap and water, and place the 

 animal in a situation where as few irritating things as 

 possible will be in the way of the tender surface, 

 and give a purgative. If not properly attended to, 

 the suppuration soon terminates in mortification. 

 Cleanliness in every stage and variety of foot-rot, is 

 of the first importance. Many corrosive preparations 



