INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATTLE. 395 



also be applied. Care should be taken to withdraw the inilk at proper 

 intervals. 



VESICULAR ERUPTION OF THE GENITAL ORGANS. 



This contagious disease is iiot known in our country, but it is more 

 or less prevalent on the Continent. It is the subject of legislation in 

 Germany, and governmental statistics are published annually concern- 

 ing its distribution in the Empire. According to the latest reports 

 5,782 head of cattle were attacked during 1890, and there has been a 

 constant increase in the number of cases since 1886. 



A similar or perhaps identical disease of horses has the same distri- 

 bution. Whether, however, such disease is transmissible from horses 

 to cattle and vice versa has not been definitely determined. 



The disease may be defined as a highly contagious eruption situated 

 upon the external genital organs of both sexes, and accompanied with 

 little or no general disturbance of health. The contagion is transmitted 

 mainly during copulation. The bull may have the disease and convey 

 it to all the cows with which he comes in contact. Or he may become 

 infected by one cow, and, although not showing the disease, he may 

 transmit it for several days after to all other cows during copulation. 

 Simple contact between one cow and another may convey the disease, 

 or the sponges used in cleaning the diseased may carry the virus to 

 the healthy. 



Symptoms. The period elapsing between the infection and the appear- 

 ance of symptoms is somewhat variable. It is usually given as three to 

 six days. It juay be briefer or much longer. In cows the mucous mem- 

 brane of the vagina and the vulva become swollen, reddened, and very 

 tender. The secretion is very abundant and consists at first largely of 

 serum and mucus. Small vesicles then appear which rapidly burst and 

 are converted into excoriations or deeper ulcerations. The secretion 

 becomes more purulent, and is apt to dry in crusts about the root of the 

 tail. The eruption in accompanied with much itching and difficulty in 

 urinating. The walk may be stiff' and awkward. In bulls the eruption 

 is situated on the prepuce and the end of the penis, and is accompanied 

 by a little purulent discharge from the prepuce, itching and difficulty 

 in urinating. In severe cases the inflammation and swelling may extend 

 backward to the scrotum and forward upon the abdomen. 



The disease lasts from two to four weeks, and always terminates in 

 recovery. The acute stage lasts only four or live days, while the com- 

 plete healing of the inflammation is slow. The eruption is usually ae- 

 companied by very little general disturbance. If the pain and irrita- 

 tion are severe there may be some slight loss of appetite and diminished 

 milk secretion. 



Treatment need not be resorted to excepting in severe eases. The 

 secretion and exudation should be washed oft' anil a mild antiseptic 

 applied, such as a 1 per cent solution of carbolic acid (I ounce to 3 



