454 FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE 



5. Walley. The four bovine scourges. 1879. 



6. WiLHELMS. Memoire sur la peripiieumonie epizootique du 

 betail, 1852. 



FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE 



Synonyms. Eczema epizootica ; epizootic aphtha ; vesi- 

 cular aphtha ; vesicular epizootic ; aphthous fever ; murrain ; 

 coco tie ; Ma id-und Klauen se itc/ie. 



§ 358. Characterization. Foot and mouth disease is 

 a highly infectious disease of animals. It is determined by 

 the eruption of vesicles in the mouth, around the coronet of 

 the foot, on the udder and between the toes. It is said to be 

 more common among cattle, but swine are quite susceptible ; 

 sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats and fowls are said sometimes 

 to be attacked. The human species is also susceptible. Peo- 

 ple may be infected by drinking the unboiled milk of animals 

 suffering from the disease. The mortality is not high. 



§ 359. History. Foot and mouth disease was quite 

 accurately described in the eighteenth century. Very destruc- 

 tive outbreaks are reported in 1809 and in the early part of the 

 nineteenth century it was the source of much loss in southern 

 Europe. In 1883, Great Britain lost heavily from its ravages. 

 In 1892, Prussia is reported to have had 8,000,000 cattle 

 affected. It was during the years 1890 and 1893 that the last 

 severe epizootic appeared in Germany. 



§ 360. Geographical distribution. This disease seems 

 to be ver}^ largely restricted to Europe, although it has been 

 introduced into almost every cattle raising countrj-. In 1S70, 

 it was brought to the United States from Canada. At that 

 time it spread into New York and New England. It appears 

 that this disease was mild and its spread was quickly and 

 easily checked. This according to Law was accomplished so 

 easil}' because the cattle were in winter quarters. In 1880, a 

 few infected animals were brought to the United States, but 

 the disease did not extend beyond the animals introduced. In 



