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DISEASES OF SHEEP 



Mr. Jewet, of Vermont, speaking on ample experience, says—" The foot rot is a« 

 infectious disorder which locates between the hoofs, and unless immediate attention 

 is rendered, it operates under the horns of the hoof. It is more easily cured iii the 

 winter, or whore the infection freezes. If thorouijhly seated, it cannot be entirely 

 eradicated from the flock in warm weather, unless they arc perniittcti to run in a 

 fresh pasture where there is no exposure after the treatment, which is this— first, the 

 foot must be pared if infected, and all the ulcerous matter removed ; then apply with 

 a swab, zig, or water strongly saturated with pulverised blue vitriol. When ihc- 

 roughly done, the rot will he removed, and the foot will be healed in four or fivi 

 da^s. It is very important that the diseased animals should be separated from the 

 flock. Fine-woolled sheep, and those that have long hoofs, are much more subject 

 to the rot, and more troublesome to cure. It spreads by inoculation only, and rage* 

 worse in low wet grounds. It is important that they should be examined every week 

 until cured, which will require three or four thorough examinations, where the ulcer, 

 ation is confirmed. 



By using a trough, the description of which you have in the cut below, the foot 

 can be examined with ease; and where there is a large flock, there is a great saving 

 in time and labour. 



The figure represents a trough which will conveniently hold two sheep, with thsir 

 feet uppermost. The frame simply consists of a plank about six feet in length, in 

 which four legs are fastened eighteen inches long. Six arms are extended from the 

 upper side of the frame, which supports the side-boards A A, six feet long and thir- 

 teen inches wide, and forms a trough about one foot in width at the top and four 

 inches at the bottom. This trough should stand near the door of another dry yard, 

 where the sheep must remain an hour or so after the application of the vitriol, which 

 should be applied between the toes of every foot. By the assistance of this apparatus, 

 three men can go over from three to four hundred sheep in a day. 



Another very simple remedy is recommended by T. Baynes, of Wilmington, Dela- 

 ware. "Take a few bushels of lime, and put it near some place where the sheep 

 have to pass, say the bars, and as it is natural for sheep to jump, take notice where 

 they alight, and place the lime there about three inches deep. This did etfectually 

 cure my flock in about a week. The lime should be fresh and slacked, and not lest 

 than three inches deep; if deeper it might take the hair off the leg above the hoof." — 

 (\Uivator The lime might be more conveniently and perfectly applied by meant 

 »f the trough, of which a drawing isgiven, for the examination of sheep. — S.l 



