On Lameness in Sheep and Lambs. 
15 
on the ulcers of dead animals, and, thence conveying the virus, 
infect other animals and human beings. Mr. Lawrence gives an 
account of a man in Leadenhall-market who accidentally smeared 
his face with some stinking hides from South America ; the part 
touched by the putrid matter very soon became red, swelled, 
and mortified, and the mortification spread over half the cheek. 
IV. — Strains. — The sheep not being an animal of burden, 
neither used to carry nor draw weight, strains are consequently of 
rare occurrence ; however, they do occasionally happen and 
produce lameness ; it is therefore necessary to notice them. The 
fetlock, hock, and stifle are parts most subject to such injuries. 
Treatment. — Should the flock be under the management of a 
careless fellow, fond of mercilessly hunting his sheep over hard 
and rough fields with improperly trained dogs (a practice never 
adopted by discreet shepherds), the crippled patient must be 
removed from the rest of the flock, and have applied to the part* 
affected, everv other day, a liniment composed of one part harts- 
horn and six of linseed-oil. 
V. — Fractures. — Tlie limbs of sheep are frequently fractured ; the 
leg, thigh, and arm bones most commonly meet with the accident. 
Merely to reduce a fracture in an animal is a simple operation ; but 
to keep the ends of a fractured bone in juxta-position by splinter- 
ing and bandaging requires considerable tact and patience, as the 
proper union in many cases is not speedily attained. Bones 
deeply imbedded in flesh, such as the upper thigh and shoulder, 
do not require anv surgical treatment ; these bones will re-unite 
if the sheep is only kept quiet a few weeks. A fractured leg or 
thigh should be treated as follows : provide three gutta-percha 
splints, one-eighth of an inch thick, eight inches long, and one 
inch wide ; a roll of calico bandage an inch and a half wide and 
about four feet long (more or less as the case may require) ; cover 
the limb with boiled starch, soften the gutta-percha splints in 
hot water, and lay them across the fracture ; then bandage the leg 
moderately tight. If the starch is not sufficiently adhesive to 
hold the bandage in its place, a mixture of four parts (by weight) 
common tar and one of gutta-percha, melted together and applied 
warm to the leg, may be substituted. Recovery will generally 
take place without further trouble. 
The cultivation of the ovine species having promoted in an 
eminent degree the commercial prosperity and domestic comfort 
of Great Britain, the author with satisfaction contributes the 
remedies which in his experience appear best cultivated to render 
these valuable animals less liable to the inroads of disease or 
accident, and he cannot close this Essay satisfactorily without 
respectfully suggesting to the members of the Royal Agricultural 
