320 LOCAL NON-OONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



however, that treating the disease without bettering the sur- 

 roundings which led to, and are responsible for the condition, 

 will be a very unsatisfactory undertaking. If the disease has 

 arisen from the excessive moisture, this must be changed before- 

 a cure can be expected; the same holds good when the soil is 

 gravelly and liable to make the animals foot-sore. If possible run 

 the sheep on ground which is suitable and accords with their 

 habits. Where it is impossible to do so, it becomes necessary to- 

 house the sheep at night on dry ground or in sawdust-floored 

 pens, and to adopt all such measures as will tend to counteract 

 the drawbacks of the locality. 



Where a few sheep only in a flock are affected, those whicdi 

 show signs of lameness should be caught and turned. The affect- 

 ed feet should be pared down, all shreds of horn or fungus being- 

 removed. The ulcerated surfaces should be cauterized to stimu- 

 late the secretion of healthy horn. Many different agents have 

 been used for this purpose with more or less success, such as 

 butyr of antimony, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, creosote, chromic 

 acid, terebene, and many others. Perhaps that which gives as 

 good if not better results without danger of excessive cauteriza- 

 tion is butyr of antimony. After applying this or any of the 

 other agents to the sore surfaces, the parts should be dressed with 

 Stockholm tar or carbolized tar, which makes an antiseptic and 

 healing dressing having the tendency to stimulate the growth of 

 healthy horn. 



When the granulations are very profuse, it will be found 

 good practice to apply the actual cautery, the red-hot iron in 

 these cases appearing to exert a special action not to be obtained 

 by -the use of any chemical astringent and caustic agents. Ewes 

 in lamb require careful handling, and unless the disease is far 

 advanced they should not be turned for dressing; it will be found 

 safer to stand them in the arsenical or copper solution. Quick- 



