EPIZOOTIC APHTHA. 355 
four hours before they show distinct signs of the disease, by the increase 
_ of temperature indicated by a clinical thermometer introduced into the 
rectum and retained there for three minutes. 
In cattle the eruption may be concentrated on the mouth, (including 
the muzzle and nostrils,) on the udder and teats, or on the space between 
the hoofs, though it usually attacks all of these parts simultaneously, 
and in rare cases even extends to the general integument or to the mu- 
cous membrane of the throat, stomach, and bowels, or other internal 
organs. The symptoms are slight shivering or roughness of the coat, 
neglect of feeding and rumination, redness, heat, swelling and tender- 
ness of the pasterns, teats, and mouth, arching of the back, and a 
crouching, hesitating gait, accumulation of a white froth around the 
margin of the lips, and a loud smacking noise made by the tongue and 
lips. On the second or third day the blisters may be seen on the gums, . 
on the dental pad behind the upper lip, on the tongue, on the teats, and 
around the upper borders of the hoofs and between them. In twenty- 
four to thirty-six hours more (sometimes at once) these burst, the cuti- 
cle is detached, and raw pink sores are left, most noticeable on the 
mouth and teats. With care the process of healing goes on rapidly, and 
is completed about the fifteenth day. Complications are rare, unless as 
the result of neglect, and consist in inflammation and loss of the udder ; 
extensive formation of matter beneath the hoofs, causing them to be 
shed.; extension of disease to the sinews, bones, and joints of the 
foot, with wide-spread destruction of parts; eruption on the stomach or 
bowels, with dangerous or fatal inflammation; or implication cf the 
womb with abortion or long-continued weakening discharges. 
In sheep the feet are mainly affected, and the malady bears a strong 
resemblance to foot-rot, and, under negiect, may merge into this. 
Swine also suffer severely in the feet, and, as they are too commonly 
neglected and left on mud and filth, shedding of the hocfs is frequent. 
When the mouth suffers they champ the jaws, and frothy saliva collects 
around the lips. 
LOSSES OCCASIONED BY THE DISEASE. 
These can only be estimated by considering that every ruminating 
animal and hog exposed to the poison will almost invariably contract the 
disease; also, that the poison may be dried up in barns and elsewhere 
without losing its vitality or virulence, and thus be preserved for months 
‘and years. The depreciation of ordinary store and feeding stock, which 
have passed through the affection, may be approximately stated at $5 
to $10 per head—sheep and swine at relatively smaller amounts; but 
for dairy stock no such low estimates can be accepted. There is first 
the loss of the milk for thirty days, $25 to $30 per head. Several 
Dutchess County farmers were losing at the rate of $20 per day, or 
$600 per month, from this cause alone, at the time of. our visit. Then 
there are the frequent consequences of loss of the bag, or of the hoofs, abor- 
tions, and chronic discharges from the womb, which unfit the subjects 
for dairy purposes ; and, lastly, internal complications and fatal results. 
Such results imply serious losses for individuals, counties, or States; but 
the great danger lies in the possible migration of the disease out west, 
and its final diffusion throughout the States. This is much less 
unlikely than was its importation from Europe nine months ago. 
We had then the safeguard of a restriction on direct importation; but 
now let a valuable Short-horn be sent from Massachusetts, or New York, 
to Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, or Texas; let him contract the 
cisease on the roads or railroad-cars, and convey it to the stock among 
