FOOT-nOT IN SHEEP. 395 



FOOT-EOT IN SHElfP^ 



There are few diseases upon the natiire and causes of which 

 80 much difference of opinion es^sts as upon this troublesome 

 and vexatious source of loss. 



Continental, as well as some- English and American veterinary 

 writers and observers, divide foot-rot into two varieties, namely; 

 contagious and non-contagious. 



The first or contagious form is called by a variety of names, 

 as Paronchyia ungularis oiHum maligna or contagiosa (Latin) ; 

 Pietin, Pietin coniagieux, Mai de pied, &c. (French) ; Bosartige 

 Klauesexbclie der ScJia/e, &c. (German); and the latter, J*aronchyia 

 inter-digitalis, or gravelling. 



" Or/ " — Carbuncle of the Coronet in Sheep. — This disease is one 

 occurriug more particularly in young sheep, but occasionally 

 affects old ones. It occurs in wet seasons, more particularly in 

 spring and autumn, and seems to be prevalent in pastures which 

 have rough and damp grass : it also occurs amongst sheep fed on 

 turnips, if the land happens to be damp and slushy. It is char- 

 acterised by lameness, then swelling of the coronet or interdigital 

 space ; the swelling points and bursts, leaving an angry-looking 

 ulcer, which speedily becomes filled with granulations that readily 

 bleed. The swelling extends up the limb, and the ulcer may 

 attain a large size. Similar sores may appear on the face and 

 head, and are probably due to contact. It is not a fatal disease, 

 but is very troublesome, as when well established is slow to heal. 

 The principal treatment is to remove to dry short pasturages, 

 and treat the sores with astringents and antiseptics. 



In his 'lectures Professor Dick said o^ follows : — " Foot-rot is 

 the name given to a disease in sheep similar to * Foul in the 

 foot* of homed cattle. Jts conseq^uences are disastrous and 

 ruinoiis, attacking, if neglected, the whole»flock, so that in feed- 

 ing they actually crawl on their knees ; hence it is .regarded in 

 the last degree contagious. After a good deal of investigation, 

 however,"! have arrived at a different conclusion; and I discover in 

 its history nothing more than the result of that domestic state to 

 which the sheep has J)een subjected. By nature not imlike the 

 goat, it frequents the summits of the lofty mountains, where its 

 hoofs, altogether analogous to those of the horse, are exposed to 

 much tear and wear. When from these alpine regions yre 

 transfer the sheep in^o our grassy lawns, our mooriah^lands, or 



