372 DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



Cicuta virosa, (water hemlock,) Delphinium staphysagria, 

 (stavesacre,) Felis foeomina, (female fern ;) all of which, 

 if taken in sufficient quantity, will produce disease in the 

 brain. I could easily swell the list of poisonous plants, 

 but it is not my intention to enter into that which is 

 unnecessary. 



Paronychia Ovium. — {Foot Root) — This disease 

 has been more prevalent these last thirty years than 

 heretofore, which is accountable for in the varieties 

 and breeds of sheep and in the increasing number ; so 

 much so, that farmers cannot find highland pasture suf- 

 ficient for them, so they are brought down and put on 

 moist lowland pasture, where the sheep can find plenty 

 of food without travelling much; hence, the growth of 

 horn is more than the wear, or the supply more than tho 

 demand; subsequently the horn becomes over-grown and 

 turns upon the sole, and bruising the sensitive structures, 

 earth and sand soon find their way into- th« cavities pro- 

 duced, causing inflammation of the laminae, lameness, 

 and secretion of fetid pus. 



Causes. — As before stated, it results from an increased 

 supply of horn which turns up from the toe, pressing 

 upon and irritating the sensitive structures of the foot. 



This affection of the feet is almost certain to follow 

 the removal of heavy bred sheep, such as the black-faced 

 Cheviot and Southdown, from their native and upland 

 pastures to rich meadow and arable lands. Their native 

 walks being rough and rugged — ^the grass not so plenty, 

 which insure the sheep walking over a large tract of land 

 in order to procure their food — hence the waste and 

 supply of hoof is balanced. 



Treatment — Whenever the sheep is observed to go 

 lame it must be cauorht and the feet examined. Remove 



