CHAPTER V. 
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND SKIN 
1. Foot Rot. 
In some parts of the country this is a very common dis 
ease. It resembles fonl in the foot in cattle. 
Causes. — Foot rot is the result of irritation from various 
causes, among which may be mentioned the splitting of long 
toes, continual dampness, as when pasturing on low, wet land 
or being compelled to do a great deal of tramping through 
dirty, muddy yards. 
It is frequently of an infectious nature, being transmitted 
from one to the other by coming in contact v^ith the dis- 
charge from infected feet. 
Symptoms. — There is stiffness and lameness and as the 
disease develops little boils form about the top of the hoof. 
These break and discharge, at which time the lameness be- 
comes extreme. Finally, if allowed to continue to develop, 
the hoofs loosen and fall off and the patient dies of ex- 
haustion. 
Treatment. — Endeavor to ascertain the cause and remove 
it, as that condition giving rise to the disease in one member 
of the flock is likely to cause it to develop in another. 
Separate the affected sheep from the sound ones and put 
the affected ones in a quiet, dry place. If caused by being 
in a wet place, remove the sound ones to a dry field. Catch 
the affected sheep, lay them on their sides, and bathe the feet 
well with luke-warm water and soap, cleaning all the dirt 
from between the trotters. As soon as you have bathed the 
feet, poultice them with a hot poultice of half linseed meal 
and half bran. Leave the poultice on all night, and poultice 
every night until the sheep is better. Each time betore put- 
ting on the poultice, and after taking it off, dress the foot 
with white lotion containing a few drops of carbolic acid. If 
this does not affect a cure, try the following mixture: 
Sweet Oil 4 ounces. 
Carbolic Acid 20 drops. 
Apply this the same as the lotion before putting on the 
poultice and after taking it off. 
