Cowpor in Cattle 387 
COWPOX 
The horse, sheep and cow each has a variety of pox, 
but cowpox is the form that is commonly seen in this 
sountry. Cowpox is a germ disease that attacks cows 
particularly, in the skin in the region of the udder or 
teats, and is characterized by sores in this region. The 
disease is usually transmitted from one animal to 
another by the hands of the milker, by calves, or by 
direct contact. 
About a week after the infection is transferred, small 
pimples appear on the skin. At first these contain a 
watery fluid, which later turns to pus. The base of the 
sore is hard and red. After the pustule is broken, a 
thick, dark scab forms that has a depressed center. 
Later, this comes off, leaving a small pit or pock mark. 
Cowpox can be transmitted to man by direct inocula- 
tion, as by sores on the hands. The fluid from the 
pimples or pustules of cowpox is the material used to 
vaccinate persons against smallpox. 
Little can be done after an animal has contracted the 
disease, except to keep the parts soft by applying some 
healing ointment. Oxide of zinc ointment is excellent. 
After milking, a little white lotion may be applied, fol- 
lowed hy the zine ointment. When the udder is greativ 
inflamed, bathing with hot water twice daily is excel- 
lent. In milking, animals affected with cowpox should 
always be milked last, so that the milker will not carry 
the disease to healthy cattle. After milking, the hands 
should be carefully washed and disinfected. The milk 
should not be used for food. 
