Cowpox 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 

 country. 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 by the zinc ointment. When the udder is greatly 

 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. 



