4 
On Lameness in Sheep and Lambs. 
■1 Entrance to 
the Canal. 
matter : it enlarges as it proceeds ; its lower end curves upon 
itself, and terminates in a blind pouch. Mr. Youatt, in his work 
on Slieep, p. 225, in 
describing this canal, 
says, " it divides im- 
mediately on entering 
the skin, sending a 
branch to the front of 
each toe;" hence its 
generally received 
name, the biflex canal. 
I have dissected num- 
bers of sheep's feet, 
but have never disco- 
vered a divided inter- 
digital canal. The 
internal lining of this 
tube is covered with hair, and thickly studded witli sebaceous 
glands, which secrete a smooth, viscid fluid ; this, flowing from 
the external opening, runs down between the digits, lubricating 
the parts, and answers the two-fold purpose of preventing friction 
from the toes rubbing against each other, and also prevents dirt 
adhering to the skin between them, and getting hard and dry, 
whicli would be a source of great irritation to the animal. 
Diseases of the Foot. 
I. Common Foot-rot, or Gravel. — This disease consists in in- 
flammation, more or less extensive, of the internal structures of 
the foot, the formation of matter, its exudation at the top of the 
hoof, the separation of a portion or all of the crust and sole from 
the parts beneath, sinuses or holes penetrating more or less deeply 
into the foot having been formed, which causes extreme lameness 
of the limb, whilst the foot is very hot and painful, and points 
forward. In its commencement it is purely local and easily cured 
by surgical means, and is non-contagious. 
Causes. — It frequently proceeds from bruises received upon the 
coronet, and from thorns or other sharp bodies piercing the sole 
and injuring the quick. In some cases, in the first stage of the 
disease, there is often found nothing but the edge of the crust, 
forced asunder from the sole ; a wedge of earth collects and 
presses upon the sensitive parts beneath, and is a frequent excitant 
of foot-rot : but it most frequently occurs in sheep that have 
been placed in low swampy pastures, where the hoof, becoming 
softened by continual immersion in moisture, grows luxuriantly 
and unrestrained. In this condition it is unable to stand against 
the opposing friction of a harder ground surface ; hence, when the 
