130 COMMON DISEASES. 



toms, but the two may occur together. When the disease affects 

 sheep and swine it is apt to involve especially the feet. 



Dissemination. — The infecting virus is present in yards, 

 stables, carts, and on the food or feeding utensils. Even a road 

 over which diseased animals may have passed may be infectious. 

 This disease may be disseminated in an indefinite number of ways, 

 and is recognized as one of the most easily scattered of the in- 

 fectious diseases. The infectious material is apparently present 

 in the discharge from the vesicles, in the saliva, milk, urine, ma- 

 nure, expired air, and perspiration. The infection is probably 

 obtained through the respiratory or digestive organs. 



Prevention. — The prevention of this disease is simply the 

 prevention of infection. This country was supposed to be free 

 from this disease until 1902 when it appeared in several of the 

 New England states ; and until stockmen are thoroughly sure that 

 the disease has been stamped out, very great care should be ex- 

 ercised in the purchase and shipment of suspected animals. In- 

 fected premises that have not been disinfected may remain in- 

 fectious for an undetermined period. Until we have more posi- 

 tive information on this point we may say that it would hardly be 

 safe to risk exposure in less than a year unless the premises can 

 be thoroughly disinfected. 



Treatment. — Simple cleanliness. Most cases will recover 

 without treatment in two or three weeks, but in some serious 

 cases it is necessary to use astringents and antiseptics, for in- 

 stance, alum water or creolin. This is especially for raw and in- 

 flamed surfaces. 



