Famicose peatlands and ungulate hoof diseases: on the meaning of a word from ‘On the meaning of words’ (Festus, 2nd century CE; Paulus Diaconus, 8th century CE)

• Main Authors: P. de Klerk, I. Musäus, H. Joosten
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Mire Conservation Group and International Peat Society 2020-07-01
• Series: Mires and Peat
• Subjects: ancient roman society; latin linguistics/philology; peatland terminology; peatland use; veterinary science
• Online Access: http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map26/map_26_22.pdf

The dictionary ‘On the meaning of words’ was written by the Roman grammarian Marcus Verrius Flaccus (ca. 55 BCE – 20 CE) but has not been preserved. A summary (“epitome”) by Sextus Pompeius Festus (2nd century CE), which did survive in a heavily damaged state, was in turn further epitomised by Paul the Deacon (Paulus Diaconus, 8th century CE). The work contains the intriguing peatland related phrase “famicosam terram palustrem vocabant” (‘they called marshy soils famicose’). The meaning of “famicosus” has been lost, and no other texts are known that contain the word. Grammatically, “famicosus” originates from the noun “famex” that denotes a collection of swellings of ungulate hooves. In moist and wet settings hooves tend to soften - which was well known by ancient Romans - and become prone to bacterial infections. Especially Fusobacterium necrophorum, which occurs under anaerobic conditions in wet/moist locations, causes hoof and claw diseases like interdigital dermatitis (sheep), thrush (horses) or bush rot (pigs). In combination with other bacteria like Dichelobacter nodosus or Treponema spp. even more severe hoof diseases like scald, foot rot or contagious digital dermatitis may occur (ovine/bovine). It is likely that the Romans called mires and marshes “famicose” because animals frequently developed infectious hoof diseases in these landscapes.