316 LOCAL NON-CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



ure, as by moving the sheep to less gravelly surroundings and 

 employing simple treatment, such as an application of pine tar, 

 a cure is speedily effected, the horny secretion in this instance not 

 being perverted and changed, as is the case where the parts have 

 been kept in a super-moist condition. 



Symptoms. 



The sheep is noticed to walk with difficulty, appearing to 

 rest frequently after progressing for a short distance. Distinct 

 lameness will be observed in a day or two, the animal then lags 

 behind the flock and soon assumes a lank appearance. 



On examination a moist foetid discharge will be noticeable 

 between the claws of the affected feet. The feet are hot, the 

 animal exhibiting signs of pain when they are pressed, and the 

 coronet is swollen. In the commencement of the attack only one 

 foot may be affected, or both fore-feet, or both hind, rarely all 

 four feet are affected. At first the disease appears located in the 

 foot, but it is liable to extend, involving the soft tissues of the 

 coronet, forming abscesses above the hoof, and at times invading 

 the bones and tendons of the knee. This, however, is very rare. 

 The hoof-horn, as the disease progresses, takes on a species of 

 dry-rot; falls away piece by piece, exposing the delicate sensitive 

 laminae situated underneath. These sprout outwards, forming 

 fungous growths resembling excessive granulating tissue, in that 

 they bleed easily when touched. The discharge from the affected 

 surface is extremely offensive, and so strong in character that if 

 only a few sheep in a flock are affected the disease can be recog- 

 nized at some little distance from where the diseased flock is 

 grazing. 



The horny sole becomes attacked and peels off, exposing the 

 sensitive parts covering the pedal bone. The subject is then 

 qviite lame anfl should the fore-legs be the ones affected, it will 

 move around on its knees, crawling on its belly if its hind feet 



