The Philosophical Magazine (Volume 25); Comprehending the Various Branches of Science, the Liberal and Fine Arts, Geology, Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1806. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... became indispensably necessary to assist this flock by every means in our power. We removed them to the distance of six leagues; their removal was not effected without great trouble, and was very tedious: we also had recourse to carriages for conveying the most diseased among them; but in spite of all our care, many fell a victim to the disease, unable to bear the fatigue. The different individuals of the flock presented all the varieties of the disease; which may be reduced to three principal ones. The animals in the first stage of the disease were only a little lame, appeared without fever, and preserved their appetite. Upon inspecting the foot, there was only a slight redness discovered at the root of the hoofs, or a slight oozing out of matter round the hoof; sometimes only a slight degree of heat in the lame foot, without any apparent irritation. The sheep which had the malady in the second degree were lame all fours, had a fever, appeared dull, fed slowly, and were often on their knees if the fore-legs were attacked. Upon inspecting the foot, there was an ulceration, as well at the root of the division of the hoofs, as at the juncture of the horn to the leg, accompanied by a whitish and fetid sanies. Such animals as were in the third degree of the disease had a continual fever; they were meagre and sorrowful, rose up with difficulty, and lost their wool. The ulceration of the feet was venomous, and resembled a white gangrene. Purulent collections were formed under, the hoof, and made their appearance at the junction of the horn and the skin. Among some sheep the hoof was detached or entirely destroyed, and the flesh of the two divisions of the foot was one complete ulcer. In others the hoof had kept on; because the flowing of the purulent matter made its ...