LECTURE XXXII. 

 FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 



Definition. — A very contagious disease, chiefly of ruminant 

 animals and swine. Some outbreaks are much more virulent than 

 others, but an outbreak of this disease is always a serious matter 

 for the owner, even though no animals die, and a very serious 

 matter for the public in general. One attack does not give im- 

 munity; on the contrary, this disease is apt to recur at compara- 

 tively short intervals. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are here given for cattle. Sheep 

 and swine show in general similar symptoms. 



This disease develops in from three to five days after expos- 

 ure. Affected cattle are first noticed to be sluggish. They shiv- 

 er, and later on they are stiflf and lame. There is profuse flow 

 of the saliva with frequent swallowing motions and smacking of 

 the lips. The peculiar lesions of the foot and mouth disease are 

 vesicles or small blisters affecting the mouth ; the skin above and 

 between the hoofs, and over the udder, and teats. These vesicles 

 soon break and bleed, leaving raw surfaces which as a rule heal 

 but sometimes remain as rather chronic ulcers. The skin and 

 superficial tissues around the hoofs become intensely inflamed, and 

 swollen. The stomach is also involved ; affected animals lose 

 weight ; and the milk flow is checked. It should be remembered 

 that the symptoms vary geatly in virulence in different animals 

 and different outbreaks. One patient does not usually show all 

 these symptoms. Affected animals are very much inclined to lie 

 down by reason of the sore feet. This disease is not ordinarily 

 fatal, but causes very serious loss in the checked milk flow, and 

 prolonged unthrifty condition, and seriously diseased feet. There 

 is a marked fever highest just before the eruption appears. Ac- 

 tive symptoms of the disease last from eight to fourteen days, 

 and animals usually recover within about three weeks. The dis- 

 ease of the skin around the hoofs often follows the mouth symp- 



