386 
Lamenesses of Sheep and Lamhs. 
over-exertion, and consequently enjoy almost total immunity from 
strained tendons, bursal enlargements, and inflamed joints — 
affections which prevail amongst horses to a ruinous extent. 
But comparatively few and simple as are the lamenesses of sheep, 
they are less generally understood and rationally treated than 
those of the horse. They often continue for some time unper- 
ceived, owing to the culpable neglect of shepherds, or the wide 
extent of pastures. They are apt to be lightly regarded, on 
the plea that a sheep, though permanently lame, may still carry 
mutton and wool. They often receive little examination and 
study, and, from the small value of the animal, are frequently 
consigned to the butcher instead of the practitioner. 
Lameness amongst sheep and lambs chiefly results from frac- 
tures, rheumatism, paralysis, scrofulous swellings and rickets, 
black-leg, tumours, and bursal enlargements, or from foot-rot, 
murrain, or other affections of the feet. I shall describe these 
injuries and diseases in the order in which they are mentioned, 
referring especially to their nature, symptoms, causes, and 
treatment, as well as to the means to be adopted for their pre- 
vention. 
Fractures. — Sheep are not nearly so liable to fractures as men, 
dogs, or horses. Sometimes, however, they get their legs en- 
tangled in a gate or hurdle ; they are tumbled into a ditch by 
some ill-broken or ill-managed cur ; or, more commonly, they 
receive a blow from a stick or stone, and the limping gait 
discovers a " broken leg." The upper bones in both the fore 
and hind limbs are abundantly covered with muscle, and hence 
effectually protected from injury. The tibia, or bone immediately 
above the hock, is sometimes fractured, occasionally involving 
the hock joint. But the canon or shank bones are most liable 
to this accident, which is frequently produced by a blow upon 
their anterior or lateral surface, where they are invested by little 
else than skin. The fractures are generally simple, and without 
much displacement. Compound fractures — that is, fractures in 
which the broken ends of the bone protrude through the skin — • 
are uncommon. 
The treatment consists in bringing the parts gently and speedily 
into accurate apposition, retaining them there by a well-tarred 
piece of stout cloth rolled repeatedly round the limb, which 
ought further to be supported by flat slips of wood secured by a 
light well-adjusted bandage. This must not, as is sometimes the 
case, be so tight as to stop the circulation. Unless where there 
has been much injury of the contiguous soft parts, the inflamma- 
tion speedily abates, and reparation commences in a day or two, 
A granular fibrine-like lymph is poured into the breach. This 
lymph is converted into a cartilaginous basis, similar to that 
