DISEASES OF COWS. 447 



to be the case the stable should be thoroughly disinfected 

 by burning sulphur in it very liberally, sprinkling carbolic 

 acid freely over the floors, and thoroughly whitewashing 

 the walls and the stall and other furniture. 



The treatment of the disease is very simple, if precau- 

 tions are used to prevent the rupture or forcible removal 

 of the vesicles or scabs before the contained matter has 

 dried and hardened. This is best done by the use of the 

 milking tubes and by softening the teats and allaying 

 the irritation by cooling, emollient applications, such as 

 the simple cerate of the druggists or the prepared cos- 

 moline or vaseline jelly which is both emollient and 

 antiseptic, being a preparation from petroleum. The 

 only medicine required is a daily dose of one ounce of 

 .hyposulphite of soda in the feed, given as long as the 

 eruption lasts. The same may be given to the other 

 cows or heifers in the dairy or stable as a preventive 

 or as a means of very much lightening the results of 

 an attack upon them. During the continuance of the 

 disease the effect upon the milk is either imperceptible 

 or very light. When at the first inception the udder 

 becomes hard and inflamed the milk curdles prematurely 

 and will often thicken if brought to a heat of 150 degrees. 

 There will sometimes be white specks in the butter 

 caused by the coagulation of portions of the milk, and 

 perhaps by the presence of secreted matter in it ; but in 

 general there is nothing in the milk that would indicate 

 that the cow was ailing in any way. Nevertheless, as the 

 ailment is a blood disease, and the blood has been sub- 

 jected to the action of a special virus by which the 

 disease has been produced, and as the milk is a direct 

 product from the blood, it is at least subject to suspicion 

 and should not be used by persons who are particular as 

 to the purity and wholesome character of their food, 

 which they are wise in demanding should be above 

 suspicion. 



