194 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



as very low forms of vegetable life. It is not as yet absolutely 

 proven tbat this particular germ is the actual exciting factor of 

 the disease, but its presence in each case at varying depths from 

 the inner surface of the intestine, and also in the kidneys and 

 liver, points strongly to the fact that the true cause of cholera 

 has been at length unearthed. 



It would indeed be exceedingly unsatisfactory from all points 

 of view if. on discovering so much of the actual nature of the 

 germs of the different fevers, we were to find that man, who so 

 long has dominated over the largest and fiercest of the beasts of 

 the field, and the animals he has domesticated, should ever remain 

 a prey to the attacks of these microscopic vegetable parasites. 

 We have already spoken of the vast strides made in our know- 

 ledge of therapeutics, especially in that section which deals with 

 the antiseptic remedies and methods, and have shown how closely 

 linked are the sciences of human and veterinary medicine. We 

 have spoken also of antiseptics in particular, and of the prevention 

 of disease by hygienic measures, and of the conditions under 

 which vegetable germs cannot thrive. 



To this all-important subject we revert again to day in detail- 

 ing the special treatment to be adopted in cases of foot-and-mouth 

 disease. For although medicinal remedies are but seldom 

 required in mild cases, yet it must be emphatically pointed out 

 that in the last great outbreak of this disease in England many 

 animals were lost which with a little care might have been saved. 

 This was especially the case with suckling calves, inany of which 

 died for want of remedial measures. Also in the cases of milch- 

 cows, the udders were in many instances left irreparably diseased, 

 treatment not being deemed likely to be of value. It is sincerely 

 to be trusted that we shall not yet awhile be troubled with an out- 

 break of this pestilence ; but, should such ever be the case, it may 

 earnestly be hoped that simple remedial measures will be adopted 

 in all cases of young suckling animals, and in all those cases 

 for adults which are of a severe character. 



In an ordinary mild case of foot-and-mouth disease it is neither 

 customary nor necessary to adminsterany remedial agent. 



Treatment. — Laxatives, such as Epsom salts, may be useful. 

 The affected parts may be dressed with chlorine water (freshly 

 made, since its composition quickly changes, the chlorine and 

 the water acting on each other and forming hydrochloric aoid 



