162 Agricultural Bacteriology. 



or four days. The stable should be disinfected and all 

 infectious matter destroyed. 



The infection of the umbilical cord in colts and lambs 

 may serve to produce a general infection of the body 

 with harmful organisms. Infection of the spermatic 

 cord in the castration of colts often produces serious 

 troubles. All minor surgical operations on animals 

 should be carried out with regard to cleanliness of the 

 part to be operated upon, the hands of the operator and 

 his instruments. 



It is also generally believed that two very common 

 troubles in the horse, fistulous withers and poll evil, are 

 due to wound infection with pus-forming bacteria. The 

 wound need not be a noticeable one, an irritation of the 

 skin due to ill fitting harness, saddles or blows being suf- 

 ficient to introduce the organisms found in the skin into 

 the deeper tissues where growth is possible. 



Foot-rot in sheep is due, at least in many cases, to the 

 infection of the tissues of the foot with pus-producing 

 bacteria. The disease may pass from one animal to an- 

 other until a large part of the flock is infected. The 

 local application of disinfectants is the treatment em- 

 ployed. 



Foot and mouth disease. Foot and mouth disease is 

 one of the important diseases of Europe. It affects 

 cattle, swine, and also man. From Europe it has been 

 exported to other countries, especially to America. In 

 1870 it was present in New England and New York. In 

 1884 an outbreak occurred at Portland, Maine. In 1902 

 the disease was introduced into Massachusetts, New 

 Hampshire, Vermont, Ehode Island; in 1908 in New 

 York, Pennsylvania and Michigan. By prompt action, 

 the disease was stamped out at each of these outbreaks. 



