450 
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.—The United States consul at Kingston, 
Jamaica, Thomas H. Pearne, transmits to the Department the following 
article on this disease : 
It appears that in England and its West India dependencies the foot-and-mouth 
disease is increasing in extent and virulence. This vesicular disease must run 
its course, and it is therefore not desirable to resort to violent remedies, which 
may arrest it in its several stages toward a termination. Slight attacks of infectious 
diseases will require no artificial aid ; but where the action of the poison in its attempts ~ 
to escape makes a severe call upon the strength of the animal, the failing powers must 
be supported while the elimination of the virus goes on. But there must be no un- 
necessary addition of stimulants, which are not safe except in the last stage of pros- 
tration. From the first, there must be pure air and water, and nutriment easily assimi- 
lable. Protection from the weather must be looked to. If the temperature is moder- 
ate, the animals need not be taken from pasture, except those badly affected in the 
feet ; to these much exercise is hurtful. Water may be given freely. So long as the 
animals can crop the grass, or eat hay and roots, no care is necessary ; but when the 
appetite fails on account of soreness of the mouth, considerable care is required. 
Good nursing is now necessary. Pulped roots should be placed in reach of the animal, 
and, at times, a little hay may be gently placed in the mouth. Gruel and linseed-tea 
are only to be used when solid food is persistently refused, and in giving these a horn 
or bottle should be used, but with great care, to avoid hurting the tender mouth. The 
mouth may be washed with a lotion of chlorate of potash, made by dissolving ‘one 
drachm of the salt in a pint of water; the feet may be syringed with a solution of 
common niter, made by dissolving an ounce of niter in half a gallon of water. At 
the same time, all the animals of the herd may be placed under the antiseptic 
influence of hyposulphite of soda, or carbolic acid. The hyposulphite may be given in 
the drink-water, about one-half ounce to a gallon of water. Each animal should have 
about two ounces of the hyposulphite per diem. The atmosphere of the inclosures 
may be charged with carbolic acid in the form of vapor. In case of acute fever, indi- 
cated by high temperature, hot and dry muzzle and horns, with redness of the visible 
mucous membrane and constipation, saline laxatives may be carefully administered. 
The dose should not exceed eight ounces of sulphite of soda or magnesia, and if it is 
thought necessary to repeat it, not more than half the quantity should be given. Ul- 
ceration of the secreting membrane of the feet will require the application of caustic, 
or undiluted carbolic acid. Afterward use a dressing of tar, and a bandage, to prevent 
movement of the loosened horn, otherwise complete separation may take place, crip- 
pling the animal for weeks or ending in fatal exhaustion. Asa safeguard against 
infection, there should be isolation as complete as possible. Persons in charge of herds. 
should not visit neighboring farms. No curious investigators should be permitted to 
examine the animals; dogs must be banished. Fat stock should promptly be sent to 
butcher or market. Neither butchers nor drovers will be allowed on the farm. Next 
to isolation in importance is disinfection. To some extent this may be done by the 
use of carbolic acid, or chloride of zinc, or sulphurous acid; the first is the most man- 
ageable and least dangerous. Sprinkle the floor of the cow-shed with the acid, or mix 
one part of carbolic acid with forty or fifty parts of water, and with this saturate a 
quantity of sawdust and scatter it on the floor. Dip cloths in the solution and hang 
near the doors and windows. Quicklime may be spread at the entrance, to meet the 
possible danger from any one entering after treading on the manure of infected ani- 
mals. The following recommendations are made: 
The mouth to be scoured out with strong salt and water, (brine,) then washed out 
several times a day with carbolic acid and water in proportion of one pint to sixty, 
(one to forty, too strong,) and when tongue and inside of lips are stripped of skin, use 
a mixture of borax and honey. As the animals at this stage will be unable to feed, 
they must have corn-meal and molasses, given either ip balls or as a drench. 
When bladders appear on tongue, lance from end toend. Wash: One-eighth of a 
pound of alum, one-eighth of a pound of niter, one quart molasses, three quarts soft 
water. Ointment to be applied to gland, throat, chest, and mid-flank: Hog’s lard, 
(fresh,) one pound; olive oil, half pound; camphor, quarter of a pound; oil of tur- 
pentine, halt ounce. The animal to have cooling medicines. No corn to be allowed, 
neither is the animal to be cleaned when disease prevails. Soft food to be provided. 
