DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS l6l 



That the disease is contagious is shown by the 

 fact that it generally starts in one foot and spreads 

 to the others, and, at the same time-, the feet of 

 other sheep in the same flock become diseased in 

 the same way, the outbreak covering a period of 

 several months. In cases that recover sponta- 

 neously the foot is deformed and- the joint is stif- 

 fened. It is only in virulent outbreaks where all 

 the feet are diseased, or where some complication, 

 such as maggots, is present, that deaths occur. 



Having as its cause a microbe, it is proper to 

 take measures of prevention as well as cure. In 

 purchasing sheep, it is highly advisable to keep 

 them isolated for a week, as a test. All overgrown 

 hoofs should be trimmed. Sores or wounds, from 

 any cause, should be carefully disinfected daily. 

 Low, boggy lands should not be used as pasture 

 for sheep, and dirty, unsanitary pens should be 

 made sanitary, as these all predispose to an out- 

 break of the disease. 



As treatment, first isolate all affected animals. 

 Mild cases are best treated by making the sheep 

 stand for several minutes daily in a trough con- 

 taining a disinfectant, or, better still, by arranging 

 the trough of suitable length with fenced-up sides 

 and a widened entrance, so the sheep can be easily 

 started into the inclosure and made to wade through 

 the disinfectant. 



In bad cases and where the hoof is underrun with 

 pus, the horn and all overgrowths must be cut 

 away so as to expose the diseased parts to the 

 action of the disinfectant. The foot should then be 

 dried, dusted with finely powdered burnt alum, 

 and bandaged to keep out the dirt. This antiseptic 

 treatment of the feet must be kept up daily as long 

 as the disease exists. Any of the following may 



