188 THE DISEASES AND DISOEDEES OF THE OX. 



and just as it is, with even very much greater potency, likewise 

 the best in the case ot the two terrible diseases known respectively 

 as rabies and anthrax. Indeed, in the case of these two diseases, 

 when afflicting animals, no other course can be contemplated by 

 those who know their truly dreadful nature as occurring either 

 in man or in animals. Hence, lest these diseases should be 

 communicated to human beings, any animals affected with them 

 must be forthwith^ slaughtered, and the carcases properly buried. 



FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE, OR APHTHA 

 EPIZOOTICA. 



The highly contagious and infectious eruptive fever, to which 

 the above name is given, owing to the fact that the foot and the 

 mouth are the chief regions affected, varies greatly in point 

 of the intensity of its attack. Although the disease usually 

 affects the ruminants, it may break out in any warm-blooded 

 animal, being met with not only in cattle and sheep, but also 

 in swine, dogs, poultry, and even human beings are not secure 

 against invasion. 



Foot-and-mouth disease seems to have been recognised for 

 the first time in England and Ireland in the year 1839, animals 

 afflicted with the malady having been imported from abroad. 

 It is possible that since this time Grreat Britain has never been 

 entirely free from the germs of the malady, and our readers may 

 remember that there was a marked outbreak in England which 

 lasted from about September 1883 until about the middle of the 

 month of June in the following year. The disease then pre- 

 sented all possible varieties of intensity, for while on some farms 

 it was very virulent indeed, on others the malady was manifested 

 in so mild a form as almost to escape detection. The disease 

 spread rapidly among cattle and sheep, and the pigs also fre- 

 quently took the infection. Instances in which the garthmen 

 and shepherds became affected were not uncommonly met with, 

 the disease presenting in these cases symptoms similar to those 

 presented by animals affected with the same malady. 



It may be said that one attack, to a large extent, confers 

 immunity ; but, as in the case of most diseases, both among 

 men and animals, this statement is by no means to be taken as 

 an absolute one. Cases are known, for instance, in which 

 Animals have taken the disease twice, thrice, and, though very 



