THE RURAL WORLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 474, 15 June 1912, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

FOOTROT. ITS CAUSE, EFFECT AND CURE. By Robt. Cobb. Having then carefully dipped and crutched the flock, the rams being take off the ewes, the next consideration is the well being of the pregnant ewe, who, from this time until after lambing, requires all the attention and feed you can give her, and for which she and her offspring will fully recompense the most lavish outlay. But there are certain conditions, known to most flocks masters, under which it is impossible for a sheep to compensate you for the food you give it, either in putting on flesh, wool, or producing a good lamb. One is "foot rot," or its equivalent commonly known as "scalded feet" —which is practically inflammation of the sensitive parts, between the claws, which if not attended to, penetrates between the horn and the quick, incapacitating the animal from getting about to obtain sufficient nourishment, or to rest comfortably, being always in pain. This disease, for disease it is, arises from various causes, but usually from feeding or standing in wet patches, or in long grass, which, during the autumn, is saturated with moisture from the heavy dews at night, and long finto the morning. Standing for any length of time in wet, filthy yards or sheep trucks, will also cause it, and contamination or cohabitation in damp places with sheep similarly affected is equally conductive and dangerous; because, although not generally known, it is nevertheless a fact that the "pus" occasioned by foot rot is contagious and, given suitable environment, can be conveyed from one sheep to another. Such being the case, and bearing in mind that "prevention is better than cure," the first thing to consider is: Are means available to prevent the scourge from entering or remaining in the flock? If you happen to be blest with country of an undulating nature, or that which nature has given a porous subsoil, that automatically drains the surface, very little trouble wiil be experienced with the feet of your flock, but should you be grazing land of a heavy, stiff nature, it is a foregone conclusion that "no matter what breed of sheep are depasturing thereon, sooner or later, if neglected, you will find some 'saying their prayers,' or, in other words, 'on their knees.' "ies, and even dying from sheer weakness and emaciation." Although the breed known as Romney Marsh, owing to their hereditary tough black hoofs, are less likely to contract it,and more able to withstand the blight, as some varieties of potatoes are more blightresisting than other tubers, neverless, I have yet to learn the breed of either which are absolutely impervious. And, therefore, my suggestions are equally applicable to owners, or graziers, of any breed of sheep. Such being the case, the sooner the work of prevention commences in the autumn the better, especially is it advisable with the breeding flock, in order not to run the risk of injury to ewe and unborn lamb, often caused through rough handling during the necessary operation of "paring hoofs." Hoofs which are more susceptible to "scalding" under the aforesaid conditions are those which are of a soft nature, and, like a thin boot, are more easily saturated than a hard or thick one. But, in all cases, the curling under of the outer shell, owing to its tenacity of soil and moisture, is in most cases the direct cause of contraction; for, it will be readily conceded, that a hoof whose outer shell is worn level with the sole, does not retain an equal amount of moisture, and more readily dries, the animal 'camps' or stands on a dry surface I therefore recommend the practice of overhauling the feet of a ewe flock at the time of mustering for removal of rams. In doing so, select a day following wet weather and the dampest yard available for the flock to stand in, preparing a clean, dry, catching pen adjoining for the purpose of setting each sheep down during the operation. If a battened floor, so much the better, and, as this is a process which should not be hurried or "rushed" through, I have found it beneficial and advisable to encourage the operator to sit down, in order that a tired back may not cause the overlooking of one or other foot, in his anxiety to release the patient, for in such case sheep return to their haunts often no better than before, and are apt to spread the complaint, if that particular foot happened to be infected. A kerosene case, stood on its end and nailed securely to the fence of the most convenient part of the pen, makes an admirable seat, because it's about the right height, and, if placed with its open surface beneath the legs of the operator, affords a safe refuge for his knife, nippers, sharpening stone, and bottle of dressing-—all of which arc necessary adjuncts to the successful operation, and may be required at any lime while the sheep is squatting and held between his legs. Moreover, being placed in security, these tools are not misplaced during the act of catching the sheep, and his hands are free to carefully lift or drag the sheep to his seat. Now, the first essential is to ascertain whether either of the feet are inflamed, and, if not then it is only necessary to pare off superfluous growth of the hoof which may be in evidence; but should the tender part of the foot between the claws appear inflamed, or the shell separated from the quick by an accumulation of foreign matter, then the antiseptic or dressing must be used to allay the inflammation, and to prevent further contamination. Neglect of paring will often cause malformation of the hoof. Such malformation must necessarily encourage the disease and consequently the aim of the operator should be to endeavour, with the aid of the knife, to restore its normal, or natural, shape, with a little bloodshed as possible,because blood detracts from or neutralises the healing effects of

the antidote. Nevertheless, an occasional letting out of blood, in special cases, may relieve inflammation; but avoid severing the artary, which the careless use of the nippers often effects when shortening the toe. On. the other hand, remove all superfluous shell, no matter what the result, for, unless such is removed, it is imposible to get at the seat of the disease. Therefore, the operator should bear in mind that "all diseased or inflamed parts should he exposed to the sun, or the concoction used to destroy the germs." The next thing to consider is what concoction is most beneficial? There are all sorts of patents advertised, as all who are interested in sheep know, but, avoiding all these, the most economical method of prevention is the use of a "footrot trough," which can be erected at a nominal cost by anyone who cares to economise, and has access, to river bed shingle, with which he can utilise cement; for, by its construction, leading from the operation pen, confined between the boards of a race, the sheep can be made to walk through arsenic or blue stone diluted with water, which, in itself, will not only destroy but prevent the attack of the disease. Failing that, I recommend, in ordinary cases, the use of diluted bluestone applied to the diseased parts with a feather, but, during wet weather, a mixture of bluestone and Stockholm tar should be used, as the latter is not only healing but prevents the wet grass from removing the bluestone from the foot, besides having the effect of hardening he hoof and making it impervious to moisture. If such precautions are taken no sheepowner need fear the effect of "footrot." THE LACTOMETER. AND HOW TO USE IT. The ordinary lactometer consists of a stem carrying a scale on which the specific gravity is read, a cylindrical or globular body,and a bulb containing mercury or shot. The weighing and the graduation are so arranged that when it is placed bulb downwards in water it floats at such a level that the oof the scale is just level with the surface of the water. This 0 mark on the lactometer really represents the specific gravity of water, which is I. It is clear that reading up the scale the 0 (equivalent to I.O.) the numbers are less than I, while reading down they are greater than I —that is, the scale is a inverted one compared with that on a therniumeter. If placed in milk that has not been tampered with it should sink until the liquid reaches some point between 28 and 34, which represents a specific gravity of 1.028 to 1.034. METHOD OF USING LACTOMETER. Lactometers indicate the exact gravity at a temperature of 60 deg. Fahr. The milk should be poured into a vessel at least quarter inch greater in diameter than the widest part of the lactometer, and deep enough to allow the instrument to float. Besides the accurate observation of the temperature, care must be taken that the milk is thoroughly stirred before immersing the lactometer. Before reading the instrument it must be made certain that it floats freely in the liquid and is not touching either the side or the bottom of the vessel in which the milk is contained. .If the surface be covered with froth or bubbles these must be removed before the observation is made, and it is best where possible to get the eye at the same level as the silrface of the milk, so that the figure may be read which is exactly reached by the liquid itself.

The lactometers used in dairy work are of two kinds —the thermo-lacto-meter and the ordinary lactometer. The thermo-lactometer consists of a stem ori which is mared a double scale, one part reading the specific gravity and the other the temperature on the enclosed therometer; a cyelindrical body; and two bulbs, the upper one being the bulb oi the thermometer and the lower one (containing mercury or shot) serving for the adjustment. By its means the temperature and the specific gravity can be read off from the same instrument. All lactometers are much alike. Soxhlet's scale reads from 25deg.— 1.025, to 35deg. scale reads from 25 deg, to 35deg., Quevenne's scale reads from 15deg. to 40deg. These are the best known, but there are a few more which are uf no practical use in milk testing. One has a scale marked from O to 100 O being equal to a specific gravity of 1.000 water, and luO being equal to a specific gravity of 1.029; this is not considered any use. Another consists of a glass tune in which is enclosed a

bulb of specific gravity 1.02!) which floats in milk above this specific gravitv, but sinks when the specific

gravity is reduced below this figure by watering, warming, or by excess of cream. This is of no practical use. All ordinary lactometers are used in the same way.