396 
Lamenesses of Sheep and Lambs. 
wherever the skin is thin and fine, and generally known as mur- 
rain, or the vesicular epizootic. 
Laceration or cracking of the horn. — From irregular or exces- 
sive growth, the horn is liable to become torn, thus producing 
temporary lameness. If, however, the animal ))e early observed, 
and the lacerated parts removed by a sharp knife, the foot 
reduced to a proper shape, and the injured part, if necessary, 
bound up, no serious consequences will ensue. But such simple 
mechanical lesions, when neglected, frequently lead to foot-rot 
in the manner to be afterwards described. In dry weather, and 
especially on light sandy soils, the hoofs sometimes crack much in 
the same way as in horses. This, although but a trifling matter, is 
apt when neglected to lead to inflammation of the vascular parts 
beneath, with sprouting of proud flesh. The hoof must be well 
oiled, softened if possible by a poultice, and the gaping edges of 
the horn brought together and secured by a tarred thread. A 
boot or piece of tarred cloth should be used as a protective 
against the access of filth. 
Foot-rot. — Foot-rot has probably existed from the earliest 
times. In this country, however, it has become greatly more 
general during the past century. Mr. W. Hogg, writing in 1832, 
says it is little more than twenty years since the disease affected 
the Cheviot flocks of Scotland.* Mr. Laidla\v of Bower Hope, 
writing at the same time, states that it first appeared amongst the 
Highland blackfaced sheep only thirty years before.t This in- 
creased prevalence of the disease is probably ascribable to the 
greater weight of all varieties of sheep, and also more especially to 
their occupying soft, moist, lowland pasture previously unre- 
claimed or grazed only by cattle. 
Tiie symptoms of foot-rot are eminently characteristic. The 
horn l)ecomes overgrown, soft, and disposed to crack or tear. 
Sand and dirt insinuate themselves into its pores or cracks, the 
(jvergrown horn turns inwards upon the sole, or the outer insen- 
sible covering of the sole is otherwise Avorn down. Irritation 
and inflammation of the sensitive laminze of the sole and walls 
are thus produced, accompanied by the discharge of thin foetid 
pus. The foot is swollen, hot, and tender, and the pastern 
arteries pulsate strongly. Lameness is early observable ; the 
pain of walking is frequently so great that the patient goes upon 
its knees, and usually becomes much reduced in condition. All 
the feet may be affected, but the disease is often confined to the 
fore feet, sometimes to only one of them, and occasionally even 
* ' Quarterly Journal of Agriculture, and Transactions of the Highland and 
Agricultural Society of Scotland,' vol. iii. p. 308. 
t Ibid., p. 314. 
