6 
On Lameness in Sheep and Lambs. 
these for a short time discharge a thin serous fluid, or, as it is 
sometimes called, moult-water. In a few more days ulcers begin 
to form, and a discharge^^of white matter commences, emitting a 
most offensive odour. The two fore feet are those generally 
affected, and sometimes the hinder ones ; the sheep is extremely 
lame, and walks upon its heels. In cases of epizootic foot-rot no 
time ought to be lost in applying proper remedies, for, the 
ulcerative stage having commenced, the groundwork of a disease 
may be laid that will often require weeks or even months to 
remove. As soon, then, as the sheep appears lame, it should 
directly be removed to a dry and clean situation. Cleanse the 
foot from all dirt by carefully washing it with soap and water, 
and apply with a piece of tow a lotion composed of two drams of 
blue vitriol to a pint of water ; keep the tow on by means of a 
bandage. Administer to the sheep four ounces of Epsom salts 
and an ounce of yellow sulphur ; in two days more give half an 
ounce of nitre and the same quantity of sulphur : the sulphur and 
nitre, given once a week, will be found very beneficial. Apply 
the vitriolic lotion twice a week, and at each dressing be careful 
to remove all detached portions of hoof. 
Having described the manner in which the disease progresses, 
and its treatment, I would observe that, if the sheep is under the 
care of an ignorant shepherd or careless owner, and the case is 
allowed to proceed without remedial treatment, the coronet will 
become much swollen, the foot will appear to swing in the air, 
and, the toes being forced from each other by the swelling that 
exists between them, matter and sinuses will form, which, running 
in various directions, will gradually detach the whole hoof. 
Ulceration rapidly progresses, it eats deeply and spreads on every 
side, inflammation is extensive, the sheep takes no food, she loses 
flesh fast, and there is excessive irritation of the whole system. 
The ravages from disease at this period are frightful and utterly 
unmanageable, except in the hands of the skilful shepherd or 
surgeon. The foot must be examined minutely, and every part 
of separated hoof must be removed ; but on no account cut away 
indiscriminately every piece of horn that presents itself, whether 
separated or not, for this is a common practice with shepherds. 
Hoof once separated will not again unite, but acts as a foreign 
body, and is a source of pain, inflammation, and fungous sprout- 
ings. Every particle of this, then, that is in the slightest degree 
separated from the parts beneath being cut away, let a warm 
turnip or carrot poultice be applied and renewed twice a-day for 
three days ; place the sheep in a clean quiet situation, and ad- 
minister four ounces of Epsom salts and a dram of laudanum : 
in three or four days the poultices may be omitted, and the vitriolic 
lotion, the tow, and bandage applied, in the same way as recom- 
