THE MORE COMMON AILMENTS OF SHEEP 415 



cay, followed by more or less of piecemeal detachment 

 and accompanied by a very offensive smell. The crumb- 

 ling may eventually leave the lower part of the foot com- 

 pletely exposed, but in the less acute cases the hoof, 

 though not shed, becomes much enlarged and ridgy. 

 When the sensitive parts are exposed, they sprout in the 

 form of fungous masses. Ulcers follow, more or less, and 

 maggots may increase the disintegration. The trouble 

 unchecked will probably extend to other feet, but seldom 

 to all of them at once. In time the afifected animals come 

 to feed on their knees when the forefeet are affected and 

 draw themselves on their bellies when the hind feet are 

 affected. 



The causes that lead to foot rot include the follow- 

 ing: (i) Overmoisture in pastures on soil so soft as to 

 encourage too much the growth of spongy hoofs; (2) 

 animals standing too much in their own excrement when 

 soft and wet; (3) overmuch grit on sandy chalk or clay 

 soils ; (4) excessive paring of the hoof may encourage 

 the trouble; (5) punctures with stones, thorns or nails 

 and bruises may lead to it. 



Preventive measures consist in what may be termed 

 good sanitation and the intelligent and watchful care of 

 the flock. This includes judicious feeding, careful and 

 timely trimming of the feet and prompt remedial meas- 

 ures when the disease appears, with a change of quarters 

 to prevent its further spread. 



The treatment is twofold. It consists, first, in re- 

 moving all diseased matter by paring and washing, and 

 second applying some suitable form of dressing. Rey- 

 nolds gives the following : 



"Clean thoroughly between the toes; pare away all 

 'diseased bone and remove the loosened pieces. The hoof, 

 if grown out of shape, must be trimmed to normal pro- 

 portion. Excessive granulations must be cut away or 

 removed by actual cautery, and be repressed by astring- 

 ent measures or pressure bandages. Pledgets of tow may 



