ESSAY ON FOOT-ROT. 
663 
along with the grass eaten by the animal, or in some other un¬ 
known way. But in whatever way it is transmitted, it proceeds 
with great rapidity. 
When it is suspected to exist, if an extraordinary heat and 
strong pulsation do not clearly shew that it has begun, the hoof 
should be gently squeezed between the fore-finger and thumb, 
when, if it hastily swell out, and slowly return to its usual tight¬ 
ness, when the pressure is removed, the substance which holds 
the hoof firm round the foot is shewn to be dissolved, and the 
hoof may safely be opened to get at the affected part. If these 
symptoms are not so evident as to satisfy the shepherd, and if the 
lameness still continue, there is no other method for discoverino- 
the disease than paring through the hoof. If the foot be uninfect¬ 
ed, slight tinges' of blood will appear just where the lining of the 
hoof and the sensible incrustation coalesce. But in all cases 
where the disease is clearly made out to exist, the loose hoof must 
be pared away, that the diseased surface may be freely exposed to 
the air. In taking away what is loose, care should be taken not to 
go farther than the disease has spread at the time, nor to make it 
bleed, as the part which is cut is apt to become ulcerous. In dry- 
weather, I have usually found three or four dressings with a proper 
unguent sufficient to overcome the disease, and to leave it in a 
fair way of recovery. When the weather is wet, the dressings 
are not so effectual, especially if they are done in a sheepfoTd 
among mire and dung. In this case the foot should be first 
washed clean, then dried carefully with a cloth, and pared ; the 
unguent should then be poured on so as to insinuate itself into 
every puncture and crevice left by the disease, and the animal 
should be held until the unguent is dry, when it shbuld be set 
on clean grassy ground. 
Caustics have been usually resorted to for the cure of this dis¬ 
ease, and the substances employed have been various. The fol¬ 
lowing composition I have found to be the speediest, the most 
powerful, and by far the mildest. To make one gill: to two 
ounces of turpentine, put half an ounce of diluted vitriol; stir 
the residuum of the turpentine from the bottom before using. 
Pare away what of the hoof is loosened from the foot, then anoint 
it with the above composition. Beware of cutting, or otherwise 
bruising, the sensible part of the foot; for this encourages the 
growth of fungous granulations, which are often very difficult to 
be destroyed. If the w’eather be dry, and the operations properly 
conducted, two or three dressings with this mixture are usually 
sufficient to remove the disease. 
To keep infection from the rest of the flock, and to have the 
disease at all times in sight, a small park should be allotted to 
the latter, in which there should be placed a wooden pen or fold. 
