312 



Tlie Country Gciitlemaiis Magazine 



%\\t Itterinnrian. 



TREATMENT OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. 



MORE than once, says a writer in the 

 Field, we have taken occasion to 

 advocate the system of non-interference in 

 deaUng with the vesicular disease, but there 

 is a general and natural objection to stand 

 idly by and see animals suffer unrelieved, so 

 that it usually comes about that the sick 

 subjects are Avell doctored in spite of all 

 warnings to the contrary. Our advice has 

 always been to the effect that foot-and-mouth 

 disease must run its course if it is to end 

 favourably, and hence the desirability of not 

 using violent remedies, which may interrupt 

 the development of the several stages of the 

 affection. Treatment of all diseases, to be 

 effectual, must be based on a knowledge of 

 the natural progress of the affection to its 

 termination ; and the object of the remedies 

 should be to assist this natural course rather 

 than to arrest or divert it, at least in the 

 majority of instances, and certainly in the 

 case of foot-and-mouth complaint. 



When uncomplicated with other maladies, 

 the disease tends to terminate in a restoration 

 to health. It is not unusual in the present 

 day to hear the statement from practical men, 

 that foot-and-mouth disease leaves some mis- 

 chief behind, and that animals which have 

 recovered from an attack are never so healthy 

 as those which have not been affected ; long 

 experience of the effects of the disease con- 

 tradicts the statement entirely except in its 

 application to particular cases. 



Some cases of permanent injury will be 

 observed. For example, milch cows now and 

 then lose one or more quarters of the udder ; 

 extensive ulceration of the structure of the 

 foot occasionally follow an attack, and some- 

 times end in loss of hoof and permanent de- 

 formity of the extremity ; low fever may super- 

 vene, and end in intestinal complications, 



which cause derangement of the function of 

 nutrition ; but all these are exceptional 

 terminations, wliich may be more numerous 

 in certain seasons, but cannot be classed 

 among the usual results of the disease. 



Foot-and-mouth disease belongs to the 

 eruptive disorders, the eruption being the 

 outward expression of the poison which has 

 been introduced into, or developed in, the 

 animal's system. If the precise nature of the 

 virus were known, it might be possible to 

 neutralise it by chemical means ; but as it is 

 not so known, the next best course seems to 

 be to prevent or assist the expulsion of the 

 morbid material by the ordained channels. 



The first step to be taken when an outbreak 

 of foot-and-mouth disease occurs, is to place 

 the sick animals under favourable sanitary- 

 conditions. Pure air and water, and easily 

 assimilable nutriment, are three essentials. 

 Protection from the weather will be provided 

 according to the season ; if the temperature 

 is moderate, the animals may be kept at 

 pasture, always providing that those which 

 are badly affected in the feet can be penned 

 so as to prevent them taking much exercise. 

 Water may be supplied ad libit inn ; food 

 should be given according to the circum- 

 stances of each case. So long as the animals 

 can crop the grass, or eat hay and roots, na 

 care is necessary ; but when the appetite 

 fails, or the soreness of the mouth renders 

 mastication painful, and so causes the animal 

 to refuse food, considerable care is required. 



Good nursing is, under the circumstances 

 referred to, indispensable, and cannot be re- 

 presented by medical treatment. Soft 

 food, as pulped roots, should be placed 

 within the animal's reach. Sometimes 

 a little hay placed in the mouth gently will 

 be eaten, and the act once commenced will 



