FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 319 



individual cases exceed these limits. Our herds in this state 

 are mostly small, yet some of our cattle owners estimate the 

 damage they have sustained at from $500 to $1,000. 



The losses to the farmers of Dutchess County from this dis- 

 ease, from careful examination by the sub-commissioner in 

 charge, Dr. D. Guernsey, are estimated at $10,000. 



As soon as the nature of the malady became known active 

 measures were taken by the authorities to prevent its spread, 

 by a thorough system of quarantine and the disinfection of 

 the yards and cars occupied by the infected cattle. The dis- 

 ease, though still prevailing with severity in England, appears 

 most happily to be exterminated in America. 



The symptoms are so well marked as not to be mistaken. 

 The animal refuses food from the soreness of the mouth. The 

 half chewed cud is rejected. There is a peculiar smack- 

 ing of the lips ; profuse flow of clear, frothy saliva. Blisters 

 appear on the nose, mouth, and tongue. The tongue is swoll- 

 en and in severe cases protrudes from the mouth. The teats 

 become puffy and hard, with blisters on them. The milk 

 diminishes or fails entirely. The bowels are constipated. 

 There is a high fever with occasional shivering. Watery 

 blisters appear about the heels, which afterwards exude viscid 

 and foetid matter. The fore feet are often affected between 

 the toes. The animal in walking shakes the feet as if desir- 

 ous to get rid of some foreign substance. There is a general 

 soreness or lameness of the whole body. Later in the pro- 

 gress of the disease the skin of the mouth, tongue, nose, and 

 teats hangs in loose shreds and drops off, as also the scales 

 from the affected heels. Cleanliness and dryness are favora- 

 ble to recovery, which is speedy when there are no adverse 

 circumstances. Active treatment is not recommended. As 

 soon as the crisis of the disease is past, recovery will be hast- 

 ened by applying any remedies of a cleansing and healing na- 

 ture. Washing the sore heels with carbolic soapsuds, or with 

 a weak solution of carbolic acid is beneficial. 



The flesh was used, for food, of many diseased animals, with 

 no observed ill effects, before the dealers were aware of the 

 presence of the disease. The milk should never be employ- 



