HOOF -EOT. 369 



operator. Never were the feet of a flock more thoroughly 

 pared. Into a large washing tuh, in which two sheep could 

 stand conveniently, I poured a saturated solution of blue 

 vitriol and water, as hot as could be endured by the hand 

 even for a moment. The liquid was about four inches deep 

 on the bottom of the tub, and was kept at about that depth 

 by frequent additions of the hot solution. As soon as a sheep's 

 feet were pared, it was placed in the tub and held there by the 

 neck, by an assistant. A second one was prepared and placed 

 beside it. When the third one was ready, the first was taken 

 out, and so on. Two sheep were thus constantly in the tub, 

 and each remained in it about ten* minutes. The cure was 

 perfect. There was not a lame «heep in the flock during the 

 winter or the next summer. The hot liquid penetrated to 

 every cavity of the foot, and doubtless had a far more decisive 

 effect even on the uncovered ulcers, than would have been 

 produced by merely wetting them. Perhaps the lateness of 

 the season was also favorable, as in cold weather the ulcers of 

 ordinary virulence discharge no matter to innoculate the 

 healthy feet; and thus at the time of applying the remedy 

 there are no cases where there has been innoculation not yet 

 followed by the actual disease. I think that the vitriol 

 required for the above one hundred sheep was about twelve 

 pounds, and that it cost me fifteen cents per pound. The 

 account then would stand thus: — 12 lbs. of vitriol at 15 cents, 

 $1.80; labor of 3 men one day each, $2.25; total $4.05 — or 

 about four cents per sheep." 



Many years after the above took place, I treated a flock of 

 diseased lambs in the same way, — except that they were put 

 into a larger tub which would hold five of them, so that each 

 stood in the hot fluid from twenty to twenty-five minutes : 

 and again the cure was perfect. They too were handled just 

 as winter was "setting in ; were wintered alone ; and were 

 turned early in the spring into a flock of about one hundred 

 and fifty which had never had hoof- rot. 



I believe the same remedy administered in the same way 

 would be the cheapest f and most effectual one known for 

 large flocks ; and if I had to go through another war with 

 the hoof-rot, I would construct a vat which would hold eight 

 or ten sheep — perhaps with a grate over the fluid to prevent 

 accidents J — and I would contrive some mode to keep the 



* This, by a misprint, was published five, in Sheep Husbandry in the South, 

 t Blue vitriol costs more than formerly— but it is still a very cheap remedy when 

 bought by the quantity. 



1 If ten sheep were put in a vat together, the attendant might have some difficulty 



16* 



