FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IN CATTLE. 437 



cases they beg-in to mend in five or six days, and in a fortnight 

 more the milk my be considered healthy. 



Althoug-li exceedingly contagious, there is no evidence that it 

 is infectious, all the facts going to show that actual contact with the 

 virus, or germs of the disease is required to communicate it. But 

 it must be remembered that these are exceedingly abundant, both 

 in the copious saliva from the mouth, in the matter which exudes 

 from sores on the udder, and from the feet, and even in the excre- 

 ments ; that they niay be conveyed with great ease, in a thousand 

 ways, and to considerable distance, perhaps, by the shoes of at- 

 tendants, the feet of dogs, or by any object to which the morbid 

 discharges have become attached. Consequently too great cau- 

 tion cannot be observed, nor too great care taken, to thoroughly 

 disinfect whatever has become contaminated. 



Since we can do little for any which may become affected, (be- 

 yond conducting its course to a favorable issue by judicious man- 

 agement, ) we should do all in our power to prevent its entrance 

 into the State. If it becomes once introduced and domesticated 

 among us, as it has in foreign countries, the losses to which we may 

 at any time be liable in the future, by reason of temporary loss of 

 milk, and by permanent injury to the udders of cows, by the loss 

 of flesh in fatting beasts, and the loss of labor of working oxen 

 by reason of lameness, afford but a sad prospect to the farmers of 

 Maine, whose dependence is*so largely upon a successful cattle 

 husbandry. 



The Governor of the State appointed Commissioners on the 13th 

 inst., under the act relative to contagious diseases in cattle, and 

 they have issued a circular to municipal authorities, common car- 

 riers and others, cautioning all, and directing town officers to use 

 their utmost endeavors to prevent its gaining an entrance into the 

 State. (See appendix.) If, notwithstanding these efforts, it should 

 come in, every herd in which it appears should be thoroughly 

 isolated, and its spread prevented by all practicable means. 



Prevention, Arrest and Disinfection. 



Dr. Dewar of Kircaldy, sometime since i^roposed a method of 

 cure for this malady which has been highly commended by those 

 who have tried it ; and which, whatever its merits as a curative 

 measure, furnishes undoubtedly the surest means of prevention, and 

 of arresting its spread when once introduced into a herd, which is 



