Lamenesses of Sheep and LantLs. 
407 
membrane, keenly sympathise. From this cause it seems fre- 
quently to occur in youn<x kiml^s in connection with indigestion. 
It frequently presents itself among tups towards the end of summer, 
and from their irritable state of system is then most difficult of cure. 
In the treatment of these cases of interdigital inflammation, 
the parts must be carefully cleaned w^ith soap and water of all 
adhering filth and all noisome glutinous discharge. When the 
skin is merely red and tender without throbbing or swelling 
around the coronet, an astringent dressing should be immediately 
applied : the sort of astringent is a matter of secondary import- 
ance. From eight to ten grains of acetate of lead (sugar of lead), 
sulphate of copper (blue vitriol), or corrosive sublimate, dissolved 
in an ounce of water, will do excellently Avell, and two or three 
applications will usually effect a cure. A drop or two of spirit 
of tar is likewise a good remedy, as it both stimulates to a more 
healthy action and prevents in great measure the attacks of flies. 
Driving the animals amongst hot lime, as in ordinary foot-rot, is 
also much recommended. In obstinate cases I know of nothing 
better than the solid nitrate of silver (lunar caustic). One of the 
little sticks inserted in a goose-quill to prevent wasting and 
blackening of the fingers, should be passed firmly and regularly 
over the whole of the raw surface. To defend the foot from 
moisture or dirt, it is usually advisable to envelope it in a tarred, 
cloth, or give it a protecting covering of tar. To prevent the 
occurrence of foot-rot and conduce to the animal's comfort, all 
loose portions of horn should be removed, and the hoof pared 
down if necessary. To mitigate the pain and swelling which 
occur when the coronary substance and soft parts above the foot 
become inflamed, poultices may be applied ; and much relief is 
also obtained from the abstraction of blood, which may be readily 
drawn by paring down the toe. To arrest ulcerations and repress 
fungous growths, the same remedies may be made use of as have 
been above recommended in similar conditions occurring in com- 
mon foot-rot. To secure the healthy action of the bowels and 
allay febrile symptoms, three or four ounces of Epsom salt should 
be given, and the animal encouraged to lick common salt. Hurtrel, 
D'Arboral, and other authors, regarding the disease as a destruc- 
tive inflammation of the biflex canal, recommend its removal, and 
give detailed directions for its excision. But this operation leaves 
matters worse than before, exposes a greater extent of raw surface, 
and ruthlessly removes a useful appendage. Occasionally when 
the orifice of the canal is closed up by inflammation, and the 
accumulated contents cause painful distension, it is advantageous 
to dilate the orifice by a probe, or, if necessary, to make an 
opening with a lancet or pair of sharp scissors, wash out the seba- 
ceous contents, and inject some mild astringent solution. 
