332 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



has been practically eradicated from England, several years 

 having passed without an outbreak in that country, until a 

 year or so ago, when it was introduced again in some way 

 from the continent ; but the damage caused by its last intro- 

 duction has been limited. In European countries, however, 

 it is a source of great loss to the farmers. 



In Germany it is known as Maul and Klauenseuche ; in 

 France, an Jievre aphtJieiise ; in Italy it is known as afta epi~ 

 zootica ; and in England, besides being spoken of as foot and 

 mouth disease, it is also known as epizootic aphtha. 



It is a disease peculiar to cloven-footed domestic annuals, 

 the ox, sheep, goat and swine ; but very rarely may be com- 

 nmnicated by them to the horse, dog and cat, and it is said 

 even occasionally to poultry, and also to man. It occurs 

 also among wild ruminants, such as deer, buffalo, camel, 

 girafte and antelope. 



The disease is characterized by a vesicular eruption on the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth and surface and edges of 

 the tongue ; it also appears in the interdigital space, and 

 ar(mnd the top of the foot at the juncture of the hair and 

 horn. The vesicles break, leaving superficial ulcers. 



The disease is accompanied in the early stages by fever, 

 which is particularly high just before the eruption of the 

 vesicles appears. It is highl}' infectious, being disseminated 

 not only by the cohabitation of sick with healthy animals, 

 but also by manure, litter, stable utensils, clothing and boots 

 of attendants and veterinary surgeons, and also by cattle 

 cars. Even driving healthy cattle over roads previously 

 traversed by cattle sutferin<>- from the disease mav be suffi- 

 cient to produce it in the susceptible animals. 



Milch cows suffering from foot and mouth disease also 

 have a vesicular eruption upon the udder and teats, and in 

 such cases the milk becomes a medium of infection. After 

 two or tl^ree days, the epithelium, which is raised by the 

 vesicles on the udder or teat, peels off. It may peel so as 

 to leave the entire teat raw, making it difficult to milk the 

 animal, and also leading to an extension of the inflammation 

 to the inside of the teat and to the udder, ruining one or 

 more quarters. This complication seems to have been quite 

 frequent during the recent outbreak. 



