DISEASES OF THE BLOOD. 141 



consequent upon the operation are reduced to a minimum 

 when it is properly performed^ the exuded matter from 

 the lungs being fresh, devoid of gangrenous material, and 

 introduced in a proper manner. The so-called sympa- 

 thetic fever may be somewhat specific, and it must be 

 remembered that in ordinary cases of the disease the blood 

 has been found remarkably free from virulent properties, 

 so it is quite possible that the disease may take place after 

 inoculation, and run its course at the seat of puncture, 

 without the lungs becoming involved specially. A slight 

 cough is said to frequently succeed the inoculation, and 

 cases are on record of origination of pleuro-pneumonia 

 from inoculated animals. Cattle owners, as a rule, have 

 strong faith in inoculation. The experiments which have 

 been most carefully conducted in this country have failed 

 to show that it is beneficial. These have been rather on 

 a small scale, and are, therefore, not conclusive. The 

 important question of inoculation as a prophylactic means 

 is not settled. It seems to have been proved that the 

 flesh in this disease is not prejudicial to man except in 

 the advanced stages; the milk, too, has been consumed 

 freely without any ill effects resulting. There seems, 

 then, no true reason why flesh and milk should not be 

 utilised. Of course, thorough cooking should be in- 

 sisted on. 



Pleuro-pneumonia has been considered the pathological 

 equivalent of rubeola or measles of the human subject, and 

 of typhoid fever of the pig. No evidence of any weight 

 has been advanced in support of these theories. 



Eczema epizootica, v. Contagiosa, Aphtha epizootica. 

 Vesicular epizootic, Muerain, Foot-and-mouth disease^ &c., 

 is a specific eruptive disorder, panzootic in its characters, 

 and has been prevalent in all parts of this country at dif- 

 ferent times, having been first imported from abroad about 

 1839. Its special lesions consist in vesicae, which may 

 occur on any mucous membrane, but especially affect that 

 of the mouth. The skin of the inter-digital space also is 

 the special seat of disorder. 



Symptoms. — After an animal has been exposed to con- 



