546 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vi. 



tody temperature are usually the first signs of the disease. These are 

 soon followed by a peculiar sucking noise from the mouth, and a dis- 

 charge of ropy saliva; or it may be that this is preceded by a restless 

 condition of the feet, which are shifted from time to time, and some- 

 times shaken, as if to dislodge some offending matter. Blisters now 

 appear in the heels along the line of junction between hair and hoof, 

 or in the cleft of the foot, and similar formations occur in the mouth. 

 These soon break and leave behind superficial sores. In milch cows 

 .an eruption sometimes appears on the udder and the teats. In this, as 

 in many other specific diseases, the bowels are constipated, and there is 

 more. or less prostration and fever. 



In pigs and sheep the general symptoms are much the same as in 

 the ox. In the former, however, the eruption mostly appears on 

 the snout and the feet, whilst in the latter the feet as a rule are alone 

 affected. 



Treatment. Fbot and mouth disease seldom proves fatal, except to 

 young animals sucking affected dams. In the great majority of cases 

 care in feeding and nursing is all that is needed to bring about recovery. 



The affefcted animal should be placed in a sheltered position and 

 protected from cold and wet. Food should be of the most tempting 

 description, and of the best. A little scalded corn and bran, with 

 sweet well-soaked chaff and a handful of malt meal, forms a most 

 suitable aliment, but where it is not taken to, as is sometimes the case, 

 any other sweet and wholesome food may be substituted. 



As a rule, but little medicine is called for. Two or three drachms 

 of nitrate of potash in the drinking water given twice daily will usually 

 suffice to keep the fever in check. If the bowels are constipated a 

 slight aperient may be given, but the routine practice of giving 

 purgatives is much to be condemned. Every step in the treatment of 

 the disease should aim at strengthening the system, that it may throw 

 off the virus and help on to a speedy convalescence. 



When fever runs high or complications threaten, such, cases demand 

 special treatment, and should be placed under the care of a veterinary 

 surgeon. 



The ulcerated feet require to be protected from dirt. Healing of the 

 wounds may be brought about and the virus given off from them 

 rendered inert by the daily application of a solution of alum, 

 carbolic acid, or sulphate of copper. It is seldom the mouth requires 

 to be interfered with, the uniform warmth and moisture it affords 

 being highly favourable to healing of the wounds. If the breath becomes 

 offensive and the ulcers do not readily heal, the mouth may be washed 

 out twice a day with a solution of chlorate of potash, but otherwise 

 there is no necessity for interference. 



CONTAGIOUS PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. Like foot and mouth disease 

 pleuro-pneumonia is a specific contagious fever. Introduced into this 

 country in 1842, it has continued from that time to ravage our herds, 

 and the loss it has inflicted on the country may be estimated at many 

 millions sterling. Until recently legislation for its extermination has 



