402 
Lmnenesscs of Sheep and Lambs. 
generally remain apart from their fellows ; and yet it is pre- 
tended that a few sheep will infect a pasture of several hundred 
acres in extent. 3rd. Even although a whole pasture were satu- 
rated witli the dreaded matter, little harm would ensue. The 
sound hoofs could not suffer in the slightest degree, while the 
injured or battered ones, so long, at all events, as only one foot is 
affected, are rarely put to the ground, and hence are little liable 
to come in contact with the inoculable matter. 4th. The dis- 
order is developed as readily by the foul matter of thrush, 
canker, grease, or any unhealthy wound, as by the matter of foot- 
rot, showing that the supposed contagious matter has no special 
potency, and that the disease has nothing of a peculiar or specific 
character. 
In further evidence of the non-contagious character of the dis- 
ease, it may be remarked^ that one foot or even one digit is 
frequently affected without the other feet or digit becoming in- 
volved ; that sheep Avith foot-rot may be mixed with perfect 
impunity amongst a sound flock, provided they be upon good 
dry pasture and have their feet properly attended to ; that the 
disease is only produced under conditions which in themselves 
and apart from contagion are adequate to produce the inflamma- 
tion of the laminated structures in which foot-rot consists ; and 
lastly, that the removal of an affected flock to dry, barish good 
pasture, the occasional paring of superfluous horn, and the 
avoidance of causes which induce irritation, most certainly arrest 
the spread of foot-rot, but could have little influence in staying 
the progress of a truly infectious disease. 
Whenever the first symptoms of lameness are observable, the 
sheep must be caught, and the feet examined. All filth and dirt 
must be removed, as well as every loose, ragged, and unsound 
portion of horn. This is generally effected with a stout pocket- 
knife, but, when the horn is extensively diseased, a fine-pointed 
drawing-knife is often useful in removing, as must be scrupu- 
lously done, all portions of horn separated from the laminae. 
The subsequent application of tar is of much value in protecting 
the bared surface from filth and moisture. When the inter- 
digital skin becomes involved it may be dusted daily with pow- 
dered sulphate of zinc or copper, or gently touched with a stick 
of nitrate of silver. Ulcers in the digital space, on the sole or 
elsewhere, should be touched with nitrate of silver, a drop of 
nitric acid, or a little of the old butter of antimony. Where they 
are tedious or unhealthy, a poultice is often useful, and a round 
of different astringent or caustic applications must Ije tried until 
decided amendment supervenes. Frequent changes of the 
remedies are often of more service than the continuous use of 
any one, however good. The fungous growths, which are often 
