FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 
835 
above described, and an Esmarch’s bandage applied. The skin above 
the bulbs is then divided, either at the outer or anterior and posterior 
face of the phalanges, and separated from underlying structures, the os 
suffraginis being then sawn through in an oblique direction, from above 
downwards. After checking haemorrhage, the point of operation is 
cleansed, disinfected, and the flaps of skin cut to shape and sutured 
under the stump. The above-described dressing may be left in position 
for eight to ten days, and seldom requires to be renewed more than two 
or three times before healing becomes complete. 
YIL—FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 
Apart from foot-and-mouth disease, and from the virulent or malignant 
foot-rot of sheep, dealt with in works on special pathology, chronic 
inflammation of the claws occurs in sheep, and is accompanied by 
chronic suppuration in the coronet or inter digital space. The horn at 
the coronet is loosened, the claw undermined, the lower phalanges and 
their ligaments sometimes become necrotic, and the pedal and coronet 
joints may be attacked, though they suffer less frequently than in cattle. 
Causes. As a rule, foot-rot is produced by the same causes as 
panaritium. Continued standing on wet pastures or manure softens the 
horn of the claws, produces maceration of the skin around the coronet, 
and while it favours inflammation of the surface, leads by infection to 
suppuration, which tends to extend to deeper-seated structures. Once 
the upper edge of the horn becomes loose, or inflammation occurs in the 
interdigital space, recovery is impeded by the continuous movement of 
the parts and the entrance of fresh infective material; at the same time, 
the burrowing of pus is facilitated. 
Symptoms and course. Attention being drawn to the disease by the 
accompanying lameness, the skin of the interdigital space is found to be 
red and swollen. Soon afterwards the surface becomes moist, a seious, 
and later a purulent, fluid being discharged. As a rule, inflammation 
is confined to the cutis, but the coronary edge of the horn and wall of 
the claw become loosened, the wall and the sole often undeimined, and 
the horny claw may even be lost, unless proper tieatment be immediately 
undertaken. In exceptional cases panaritium sets in, producing necrosis 
of the ligaments, tendons, and bones. 
As swelling increases and the process extends, pain gradually becomes 
more acute. The animals lie continuously, or are absolutely unable to 
bear weight on the diseased foot, and suffer severely in condition. When 
the superficial attack receives no attention, the infection continues to 
extend, the disease becomes chronic, and may last for months. 
Prognosis depends on the extent of local changes and on the degree 
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