460 



Sometimes tlie disease attacks the tongue, wliich be- 

 comes swollen and sloughs away until the animal perishes. 

 In this form of the disorder the antiseptic treatment 

 undertaken at the outset is the only hope of saving the 

 animal. Animals having this constitutional taint should 

 never be used for breeding purposes. 



APHTHA, 



This disorder affects the lips and tongue, producing 

 painful blisters which break and form raw sores; the tip 

 of the tongue may also be affected so that the animal 

 cannot eat and falls off in condition and milk very 

 rapidly. The disease readily yields to simple treatment. 

 A pound of Epsom salts, followed twenty-four hours 

 afterwards by two-dram doses of chlorate of potash, 

 daily for a few days, usually brings about a cure. The 

 sores are washed twice daily with a solution of two drams 

 of the chlorate in a quart of water. While under treat- 

 ment the animal should be fed soft nutritious food. 



An epizootic form of this disease is quite common in 

 England, but so far no case of it has been known to 

 occur in America. It is known as '^foot and mouth 

 disease," the feet also being affected in a similar manner 

 as the lips and tongue ; blisters, and raw sores breaking 

 out around the coronet and in the cleft of the feet. As 

 this disease may be imported at any time, it will be 

 well to describe the nature and treatment of it. It 

 appears first by a shivering fit, followed by fever, hot 

 inflamed mouth and lips, lameness of the feet, and ten- 

 derness of the udder and teats. In two days large blisters 

 appear on the lips, feet and teats, and the animal suffers 

 greatly. The disease has a period of about two weeks, 

 when the symptoms abate and finally disappear, leaving, 

 however, its germs of contagion hidden in the building 

 and the fields, for the infection of fresh victims. Death 

 rarely ensues; but the cows are often rendered useless 



