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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†BLACK-SPAUL(D), -SPALD, n. A disease of cattle. (See first quot.)Sc. 1803 Prize Essays and Trans. Highland Soc. II. 207–208:
The Black Spaul, is a species of pleurisy, incident to young cattle, especially calves, which gives a black hue to the flesh of the side afected. It is indicated by lameness in the fore foot, and the common remedy is immediate bleeding.n.Sc. 1815 C. J. Johnstone Clan-Albin II. 239:
The black-spald had seized all the cattle of the glen; — we came all down to old Ronald's house . . . to make the forced fire. (Footnote: When the cattle of any district were seized with this fatal distemper, the method of cure or prevention was to extinguish all the domestic fires, and rekindle them by forced fire caught from sparks emitted from the axle of the great wool-wheel, which was driven furiously round by the people assembled.)Gsw. 1986:
On page 651, Black Spauld is Blackquarter or Blackleg, which is caused by Clostridium Chauveoi, whereas Anthrax is caused by Bacillus Anthracis. You indicate that it is a form of Anthrax.Dmf. 1812 W. Singer Gen. View Agric. Dmf. 354:
Trembling, black spauld and other fatal diseases are seldom heard of, which formerly abounded.