THE EPIJEMIC OF 1S40 AND 1841. 



usually happened that the earlier and the later cases have been 

 somewhat slight, and the middle ones much more dangerous. In this 

 respect it has resembled other epidemics. The cause of this disease 

 is contagion ; and in cases of spontaneous appearance, it is brouoht on 

 to the farm by hares and rabbits. 



The disease is decidedly constitutional, though manifesting itself 

 locally in a peculiar manner ; its nature is that of a low fever, great 

 debility quickly supervening, and sometimes exhibiting a tendency to 

 putridity. If the very earliest symptoms be observed, it will gene- 

 rally be found that cold extremities, a staring coat, and indeed a cold 

 fit are exhibited ; but a reaction soon follows, in which the limbs 

 become hot, and then saliva issues from the mouth, and the tono-ue 

 is somewhat swollen. At the same time some degree of tenderness 

 in the feet is manifested, and the pulse is quickened and the beast is 

 altogether feverish. The soreness of the mouth and feet increases ; 

 small bladders are found on the tongue, the lips and other parts of 

 the mouth, and likewise between the hoofs, and sometimes also on 

 the teats. The animal gradually ceases to feed, from the pain expe- 

 rienced in the act, and sometimes the appetite itself fails. The blad- 

 ders become opaque, and at length burst and discharge a watery 

 fluid ; and this increases the soreness of the parts. The flow of 

 saliva increases, and in a few days the cuticle t-loughs off. Some- 

 times there are swellings along the back and loins, which appear to 

 contain air. The disease thus continues, becoming gradually more 

 severe until four or five days from the commencement, when amend- 

 ment generally takes place, and the beast gradually recovers. Some- 

 times, however, the complaint becomes complicated with inflammation 

 of some organ — such as the lungs, and the danger is then much 

 greater ; or it may take on a low typhoid form, under which the 

 animal may sink. In milch cows the udder is often affected, occa- 

 sionally much inflamed, and attended with danger. 



The treatment of this disease must be moderate in its character, and 

 should consist in checking the fever, relaxing the bowels, healino- the 

 sores on the mouth and feet, and afterwards assisting the strength 

 with tonics. 



Bleeding should in general be abstained from, unless there be some 

 severe local inflammation present, calculated to increase the debility ; 

 but the following laxative should be administered without loss of 

 time : — 



Take Epsom salts, half a pound ; sulphur, two or four ounces ; 

 nitre, half an' ounce ; ginger, two drachms ; spirit of nitrous etlier, 

 one ounce. Dissolved in wann water or gruel, and repeated once a 

 day for several days. 



The following liniment may be applied to the mouth several times 

 a day : — 



