546 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



consist of erosions without the typical vesicular formations of foot- 

 and-mouth disease. The failure of the vesicles, if any appear, to 

 spread extensively in the mouth, the absence of these blisters on 

 other portions of the body — notably the teats and udder, and charac- 

 teristically the feet — together with the absence of infection in the 

 herd, and the inability to transmit the disease to calves by inocula- 

 tion distinguish between this affection and foot-and-mouth disease. 

 Scab formation on the muzzle and nostrils is not present in foot-and- 

 mouth disease. The erosions of the mouth are not so extensive and 

 they heal more rapidly in mycotic stomatitis. The swelling of the 

 feet and stiffness of the animal are also more marked in mycotic 

 stomatitis. 



ERGOTISM. 



The lesions resulting from ergotism may be differentiated from 

 those of mycotic stomatitis by the lack of ulcerative eruptions in the 

 mouth and by the location of the lesions at the tips of the ears, end of 

 the tail, or upon the lower part of the legs, usually below the knees or 

 hocks. The lesions of ergotism do not take the form of ulcers or 

 festers, but the end of the limb affected is diseased " in toto" and the 

 eruption extends entirely around the limbs, followed soon afterwards 

 by a distinct line of demarcation between tlie healthy skin above and 

 the diseased below. The absence of suppurating sores between the 

 claws and on the mucous membrane of the mouth, the knowledge that 

 the lesion upon the limb in question extends uninterruptedly around 

 it, and the presence of ergotized seeds in the hay or grain fed the 

 animals should point conclusively to a diagnosis of ergotism. 



In foul foot, or ground itch, of cattle, the inflammation of the skin 

 and toes usually affects but one foot. It begins as a superficial 

 inflammation followed by sloughing, ulceration, and the formation of 

 fistulous tracts which may involve the tendons, bones, and joints. 

 The mouth remains unaffected, and the presence of the disease may 

 be traced to filth and poor drainage. 



NECROTIC STOMATITIS. 



In necrotic stomatitis (calf diphtheria) there is a formation of yel- 

 lowish cheesy patches in the mouth without any lesions of the feet or 

 udder. It affects sucking calves chiefly, and is caused by the Bacillus 

 necrophomis. 



TREATMENT. 



The treatment of mycotic stomatitis should consist in first remov- 

 ing the herd of cattle from the pasture in which they have been 

 running. The affected animals should, if it is possible, be brought to 



