CONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF SHEEP. 4T9 



some to be non-eontagious, but I think there can be no doubt that 

 the disease is contagious. 



Symptoms. — ^There may be swelling of the inter-digital tissues, 

 or there may be an inflammation of the sole ajt the end of the 

 toes. An alteration of the horn takes place, and there is a dis- 

 charge of fetid ichorous fluid from the parts. Fungoid growths 

 appear on the exposed surface. The disease burrows under the 

 horn of the inner wall of the claws and separates it from the sen- 

 sitive structures within. As the disease advances the animal 

 loses flesh. In some cases the sensitive structures of the af- 

 fected feet are separated from the horny walls, the wall becoming 

 entirely detached. The horny sole crumbles away also, leaving 

 the sensitive structures exposed, which soon sprout with masses 

 of fungoid growths. The animal, unable to put its lame foot to 

 the ground, will crawl on its knees if the forefeet are aifected, 

 and upon its abdomen if the hind ones be the seat of the disease. 

 The disease generally attacks one foot and then passes to the 

 others. It is generally seen on hill farms during the months of 

 August and September. 



Prevention. — Remove the sheep, if possible, to another pas- 

 ture, after making them walk through a long trough containing 

 an ounce of carbolic acid, two drachms of corrosive sublimate, to 

 each quart of water. They should be made to walk through this 

 solution once a week. 



It may be necessary to drive them through a solution of sul- 

 phate of copper. One pound of arsenic to five gallons of water 

 may be used in the same way. In some cases it may be necessary 

 to touch the fungoid growths with nitric acid. 



LOUPING ILL. 



This disease entails an enormous loss in some countries among 

 hill sheep of both the white and black faced breeds. It prevails 

 to a consideralble extent in Scotland. The disease is due to the 

 tick, a true blood-sucking parasite, belonging to the family of 

 ixodidae. The mouth of the tick is provided with a serrated beak, 



