204 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



either be dug up to about the depth of 6 in., or thoroughly well 

 strewed over with lime. Moreover, all walls, mangers, and so forth 

 should be well lime-washed, or washed with a solution of 

 chloride of lime. The flock cannot be considered free from the 

 disease until about six weeks after the last case of recovery has 

 taken place. All those persons who own flocks in a district in 

 which the disease has broken out should exercise the greatest 

 care in regard to their sheep; but as it appears that other 

 kinds of animals cannot be attacked, special precautions in 

 regard to other animals need not be taken. It is possible that 

 dogs may convey the virus. 



With reference to treatment, the first requisite is that all 

 those sheep which are afflicted should be at once picked out and 

 placed apart from the rest of the flock in comfortable sheltered 

 quarters well littered with dry straw, in order that they may be 

 thoroughly attended to. The field from which they have been 

 removed should be strewn with lime, and, if it is practicable 

 to do so, the healthy members of the flock should be taken away to 

 other pastures. Some practitioners would recommend that an 

 opening drench should then be given to all those sheep which 

 are diseased ; but this is not always necessary. The feet should 

 first be well cleansed by the help of warm water and carbolic-acid 

 soap, especially between the claws, and then carefully examined, 

 and if any foreign substance clings to the hoofs, it should be 

 removed, if necessary, by the help of paring away the diseased 

 horn, so that the diseased parts are laid bare. The horn should 

 be pared away down to the very bottom of the disease, that 

 which has separated from the underlying parts being carefully 

 and gently removed with a drawing knife. 



Randall gives very good directions, to some of which we are 

 indebted. The operator sits down in a chair, having close at hand 

 two good sharp knives, one of which should be thin and narrow, 

 a whetstone, strong toe-nippers, and a bucket of carbolised 

 water with linen rags in it. The assistant catches a sheep, lays 

 it partly on its back, and holds it between the legs of the 

 operator, so that the sheep's head is about on a level with his 

 waist ; the assistant presents each foot in turn to the operator, 

 who then proceeds to shorten the hoof with the toe-nippers. 

 Should there be any dirt between the toes, it is first removed 

 with a stick, and then by the help of a rag taken from the 



