Annual Report of the Royal Veterinary College. 1 1 9 
Diseased feet from sheep which were killed while suffering from 
foot-rot in various stage were examined in the bacteriological 
laboratory. 
In the early stage of the disease the skin between the digits or 
claws is chiefly affected, as was shown in the previous experiments. 
Fig. 1 illustrates the con- 
dition of the skin in this 
stage of the malady. 
In the advanced form 
of tlie disease, which al- 
ways proceeds downwards 
from the skin on the inside 
of the claw, the hoof is loose 
and ragged, and the surface 
of the membrane of the 
internal foot is covered 
with growths of a papil- 
lated form, as shown in the 
next figure (fig. 2). 
A microscopical exami- 
nation of the so-called 
fungoid mass proves it to 
be composed of horn cells 
loosely aggregated, mingled 
rotting material of all sorts, 
particles of manure, dirt of 
various kinds, numerous 
bacteria, and a few exuda- 
tive cells. The occasional 
discovery of fungi (mould) 
and acari has no signifi- 
cance in relation to the 
causes or progress of the 
disease, save that, in com- 
mon with other foreign 
bodies, they may help to 
maintain the irritation. 
Numerous mici’o-orga- 
nisms have been cultivated 
from the matter discharged by the diseased surface, and further 
experiments will be made to ascertain whether they possess any 
infective power. 
The illustration. Fig. 3, shows the appearance of a minute portion 
of fungoid matter from a diseased foot magnified 600 diameters. 
The cure and prevention of foot-rot demand close attention to 
details. Admitting that foot-rot is the consequence of the intro- 
duction of diseased sheep, as the recent experiments seem to suggest, 
the avoidance of this cause is the obvious method of escaping the 
disease. But even under such circumstances tlie feet must be ex- 
amined from time to time, otherwise damage to the hoof horn will 
Fro. 1. — Early sta^e of Foot-rot 
a. Kriiptiou on skin between the claws. 
