Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CRUBAN, Croupan, n.2 A disease affecting the legs and feet of cows, pigs, poultry, etc. (Cai.8 1934; Arg.1 1929, croupan). Sometimes found in pl. (Cai.1 c.1920, crubans).Sc. 1803 Trans. Highl. Soc. II. 209:
The Cruban, prevails about the end of summer, and during harvest, and is produced by hard grass, scarcity of pasture, and severe sucking of the calves. The cows become poor, exhausted, and scarcely able to move, while their hinder legs are contracted towards their fore feet, as if they were drawn by cords. The only remedy is to give them ease, soft pasture, and prevent them from being so much exhausted by suckling the calves.
