386 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
FOOT-ROT IN SHEEP. 
We have recievetl several communications in reference 
to the article on this subject by “ Grazier,” in our Au¬ 
gust number. The opinion of Grazier that the foot-rot 
is not contagious, is controverted. A correspondent with 
the signature “ E. P.,” who dates at Bridport, Vt., thinks 
it posssble that the errorjn regard to the non-contagious¬ 
ness of this disease, was imbibed from having mistaken 
another disease with which the feet of sheep are some¬ 
times attacked, for the real foot-rot. This spurious kind 
of foot-rot, according to E. P., “ is caused by a stoppage 
in the secretory outlet between the claws, or from inflam- 
ation by bruises, gravel, &c., and cannot, from the na¬ 
ture of the case, be contagious.” This, E. P. thinks, is 
the disease to which Grazier refers, and gives directions 
for curing. “It is,” says E. P. “very easily managed, 
and I have never known more than four or five lame sheep 
to the hundred affected with it at a time.” But the real 
foot-rot, E. P. thinks “a very different article to contend 
wifh, though in its first appearance, it somewhat resembles 
the above.” 
In proof of the contagiousness of foot-rot, E. P. states 
the following case:—“ Sometime between the years 1826 
and 1830, Gen. Sumner, of Boston, had a flock of merino 
sheep kept in Addison county, Vt. About the latter year, 
he purchased some imported Saxon sheep, some of which 
had the foot-rot, and added them to his former flock. 
About the same time he appointed an agent in my imme¬ 
diate neighborhood, to have the care of the sheep. The 
foot-rot spread with great rapidity through the whole 
flock. This was the first time I ever saw the disease, or 
heard of its being in this country. Nor did this infec¬ 
tious disorder stop with this flock; several others became 
infected with it by being driven along the road where 
the lame ones had been previously driven, much to the 
annoyance of their owners, who at that time knew noth- 
ingof the disease or its remedy; consequently great losses 
were sustained before they could get rid of the detestable 
plague. 
“ A portion of Gen. S.’s flock were kept adjoining my 
farm. On the morning of a particular day, my sheep 
were salted, and at noon of that same day, a part of them 
were discovered to be mixed with Gen. S.’s sheep, and 
were immediately separated, so that they could not have 
been together only a few hours. Thirteen days from that 
time, one of my sheep was lame; it was caught imme¬ 
diately, and doctored, and in a few days got well. In 
about two weeks from the first one being lame, there 
were half a dozen, and in about eight weeks, one half 
the flock was lame; a serious business, that lasted me 
more than two years of doctering after c Grazier's ’ mode 
of making an application to the lame ones only. I have 
known several flocks infected with the foot-rot by being 
put in a pen to be washed, where diseased ones had pre¬ 
viously been; and by experiment, I have known sheep 
that had never before been exposed, thoroughly impreg¬ 
nated with the foot-rot where the lame had been kept and 
removed four weeks before the well ones were put in. 
Indeed, so well is it understood in Vermont that the foot- 
rot is contagious, that a law has been very wisely passed 
for restraining sheep so infected within proper limits, 
and by reference to the records of our courts, it may be 
seen that suits have been sustained and damages recover¬ 
ed, for the neglect of keeping sheep so disordered, ac¬ 
cording to law.” 
In regard to the symptoms and cure of the foot-rot, E. 
P. observes—“ When a sheep first begins to be lame 
with the foot-rot, it is very easily detected, the tread of 
the foot being different from ordinary lameness, bearing 
directly on the toe of the foot, causing the ankle or fetlock 
joint to project forward, and if in the fore foot, the animal 
will frequently stumble. On examining at this stage, there 
is frequently nothing to be discovered by the eye, but on 
handling the foot it feels hot, and throws off a smell 
emitted by no other disease than foot-rot. By pressing 
the foot in various places, it will be found most tender at 
the heel. It commences at the heel of either claw, fre¬ 
quently between the claws, but always under the skin 
near where the hoof or horny substance commences, and 
it is not uncommon for it to work its way over the whole 
foot between the hoof and quick before it makes its ex¬ 
ternal appearance, causing the animal much distress and 
loss of appetite. It however eventually breaks out a 
rotten sore. 
“ The difficulty of getting this loathsome disease out of 
a flock, consists not in its being hard to cure, but from its 
highly contagious character; continually going the rounds; 
by the time one sheep is cured another takes it and so 
on, the same sheep having been known to take it and be 
cured of it three times in one season. 
“As to cures it has been long known that blue-vitriol 
[sulphate of copper] readily effects the purpose in a 
single sheep; but for the reason before stated, many farm¬ 
ers have been baffled in thoroughly trying it, and have 
kept the disease in their flocks for years. The following 
prescription I have never known to fail of effecting an 
entire cure if thoroughly applied: 
Copperas half a pound, 
Alum half a pound, 
Blue-vitriol one pound. 
Dissolve all in two gallons strong tobacco water. This 
compound may be applied by means of a small piece of 
sponge, tied to a handle of convenient length. The 
sheep should be caught, one by one, every foot cleaned, 
the long- toes taken off by the clippers. Then with a 
sharp knife the foot should be pared and examined. If 
it is sound, take the swab and thoroughly wash the foot 
all over as high as the fetlock joint: hold on to the sheep 
till a little dried, and turn out to pasture. If, on exami¬ 
nation, a foot is found diseased, every particle of hoof 
should be pared away over the affected part; better pare 
a little too much than not enough; if blood follows the 
knife it will do no harm. The foot being thus prepared, 
apply the wash as before, and then turn them out. 
“In this compound, the vitriol is the main ingredient 
in performing the cure, the tobacco is healing, while the 
alum and copperas set the vitriol and it forms a coat like 
paint, which adheres to the foot, cures the lameness, and 
acts as a preventive for the well ones. If a pasture is 
procured that has not been impregnated with the disease, 
and the sheep are transfered to it, three applications, one 
week apart, will effect an entire cure; but if the sheep 
are to remain in the same lot, the three applications should 
be made as above, and they should besides, be run over 
once a month during the summer, or until the disease is 
entirely eradicated from the soil. I have seen many ex¬ 
periments tried with doctoring the lame ones only, and 
by driving them over a bed of lime and various other 
ways, without the desired effect. Neither are high and 
dry pastures any guard against the ravages of this disease, 
as has been abundantly tested on the high and rocky pas¬ 
tures of Crown Point, and on the mountain summits of 
Vermont. But in no instance have I known the above 
remedy, faithfully applied, without performing a cure.” 
Another correspondent who signs “ Truth,” and dates 
from Hoosick, N. Y., writes in reference to the conta¬ 
giousness of foot-rot:—“I know a flock of sheep that 
was almost surrounded, for years, by neighboring flocks 
affected with foot-rot, but this flock remained perfectly 
free from the disease until one, thus affected, accidentally 
got into the lot with it. The distemper soon spread 
through the flock. It would seem singular indeed, that, 
immediately after the diseased sheep had got in with 
sound ones, they should all bruise their hoofs in such a 
particular manner as to produce such sameness in the re¬ 
sult. * * * I will state for the gentleman's infor¬ 
mation, that the space of time between a sheep’s being 
exposed and the symptoms becoming visible, varies from 
nine to fourteen days.” 
The question as to the contagiousness of foot-rot, is, 
it must be admitted, one of great importance; and we 
deem it therefore proper to give as full an understanding 
as possible of the case. It may not be generally known 
to our readers that this has formerly been made the sub¬ 
ject of much controversy in Europe, both among farmers 
and scientific writers. Mr. Youatt, in his excellent work 
drawn up under the direction of the British Society for the 
Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, enters at length into the 
discussion of the subject; but he comes at last to the 
conclusion that the balance of evidence is decidedly in 
favor of the contagiousness or infectiousness of this dig- 
