Illness/Sickness: Rotting Toe PLZ HELP

The end of the middle toe on my newts back foot looks like it is rotting or bitten off or something, it is shorter than the rest and something white (bone) is poking out, what is this and how do i cure it

uh......bad news, your newt either has a flesh eating infection or the finger got chomped off(anyway the second might lead to the first).
It´s very common in newly acquired wild-caughts (and i´m guessing you got the newt recently) of this species to develop such infections, because their inmune system is shredded.
It´s generally recomended to give salt baths, to stop the development of the bacteria and give the newt a chance to heal.
You can find several posts about salt baths in the forum, just do a quick search and you´ll find all you need.

I should tell you, this infections sometimes get out of hand......if you start treating right now you might have a chance...but bare in mind that it may die(not trying to discourage you, just trying to let you know..it happens).

Keep it cool, the cooler the better. Don´t disturb it except for giving him the baths(stress will only make things worse for his inmune system). And good luck!

PS: If you have more newts, separate the sick newt ASAP.

Well i just got Houdino out the tank, and checked his toes, he is missing 2 on one foot, and 1 on the other, and one looks rather large and white(ish). I dont think im going to be able to cure it in time, its all come on since yesterday, because i cleaned the tank yesterday, and took them out because the syphon scares them, and their toes were fine.

If worst comes to worst, would it be best to put them out of their misery, or let them die naturally? I cant bear to think they're suffering, do newts feel pain?

Ive just remembered, te night after getting my nwts, one escaped, an hid under the carpet in the bathroom for any time between 20-60 mins. The bathroom is usually damp due to condensation etc etc, could he have picked up any bacteria to cause this? The one that escaped has the most toes missing, and he is the one that is quiet and i dont see eating.

Your question is addressed in the FAQ:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/faq/faq.shtml

Also, please read articles on preventing escape and treatment options:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/articles.shtml