444 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



Thi^ disease is not confined exclusively to cattle, but affects sheep, 

 pigs, dogs, poultry, and even human beings. Cattle, however, 

 are more susceptible to the influence of the contagious poison. 

 The period of incubation is very sliort, varying from twenty-four 

 hours to three or four days. The disease is characterized by an 

 elevation of temperature, of from two to four degrees; the pres- 

 ence of vesicles on the tongue, lips, and roof of the mouth, be- 

 tween the digits, and around the coronets, and in some cases on 

 the udder. There is a discharge from the nose and eyes. The 

 symptoms of the presence of vesicles in the mouth are shown by 

 the animal constantly moving the lips, champing of the jaws, a 

 flow of saliva from the mouth, and difficulty in feeding. When 

 affecting the feet, there is some degree of lameness. These symp- 

 toms arise from the elimination of the poison from the system; 

 when eliminated by the feet and mouth, pastures become impreg- 

 nated with it. In this way it is spread, being carried from pas- 

 ture to pasture, and across the country by dogs and small game. 

 An animal is never attacked more than once in a season, as a 

 rule. The milk of a cow suffering from foot and mouth disease 

 should not be given to pigs, young calves, or to human beings. 

 The loss to dairymen from the diminished secretion of milk, con- 

 sequent on foot and mouth disease, is very great. On an average 

 the loss would be about twenty dollars a head. 



Treatment. — Foot and mouth disease is one that terminates 

 in recovery. Mild cases require little medicinal treatment. 

 Plenty of good, cold water is generally all that is necessary, with 

 the addition of soft food, as bran mashes. If the fever be very 

 high an ounce of nitrate of potash, dissolved in each bucket of 

 water, and thirty drops of aconite administered every four or five 

 hours. The feet should be carefully washed, and acid carbolic, 

 drachms six; lead acetate, ounces two; zinc sulphate, ounce one 

 and a half; water one quart; creolin is excellent. 



