BOOK THE SIXTH. 



ON THE DISEASES OF LIVE STOCK. 



CHAPTER I. 



ON THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



rflHE rational treatment of the diseases of animals is much facilitated 1 

 _|_ by a knowledge of the structure of the animal body, and of the 

 functions of the various organs in a state of health. In other words, 

 some acquaintance with anatomy and physiology should precede the 

 study of pathology. In recognition of this principle certain details 

 of the kind referred to have been given in Chapter II. of Book the 

 Third (pages 397 to 417). It may be useful at the outset to mention 

 that the termination itis, which is frequently used in the names of 

 disorders, is from a Greek word meaning inflammation. 



FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE, OR EPIZOOTIC APHTHA. Introduced 

 into this country in 1839, epizootic aphtha had since that time been 

 constantly with us until 1886, when it altogether disappeared, to be 

 re-introduced by foreign cattle in 1892. 1 



It is a specific eruptive fever, of which most of our farm animals are 

 receptive, and under favourable conditions it is likewise trans- 

 missible to man. The virus is thrown off from the body in the 

 discharges from the feet and mouth, and from vesicles which form in 

 the udder. Its vitality is very considerable, in consequence of which 

 it continues to retain its infectious properties for some time after 

 leaving the sick animal. It is this which renders it so mischievous in 

 favouring the spread of the disease by hay, straw, manure, animal and 

 personal intercourse and other means. Hares, rabbits, dogs, cats, and 

 other creatures are no doubt in some instances bearers of the contagion 

 from place to place. Its access or entrance to the body may be 

 through the lungs by the respired air, through the mouth by the 

 food, or through an open wound. The period of incubation varies 

 from two to five days, and then symptoms of ill-health appear. 



Symptoms. Slight dulness, shivering, a " stareing " coat, and rise of 



1 Only occasional and limited outbreaks of foot and mouth disease, quickly stamped out, 

 have occurred in Great Britain since 1894 and none in Ireland since 1884. The latest occurred 

 in Scotland early in 1908, introduced, it is believed, in hay from the Continent of Europe. It 

 was speedily stamped out. 



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