Foot-and-Moxith Disease. 
455 
this particular wanting in strictness, or that foreign imports are 
likely to add seriously to the causes which contribute to the 
spread of foot-and mouth complaint in this kingdom. 
It has been often suggested that the hardships to which 
animals are subjected in transit have much to do with the 
-origin and progress of foot-and-mouth complaint. The exist- 
ence of hardship is undoubted ; the influence of such sufferings 
on the animal's condition cannot be questioned, and it may 
be admitted that, owing to the privations which are endured, 
the animal's system may be rendered more susceptible to the 
^action of a specific contagium, as it certainly is to the attacks 
•of ordinary diseases ; but beyond this nothing can be allowed. 
No amount of neglect or privation suffices to establish a conta- 
gious disease in the system unless the contagium is in some 
way introduced. 
General characters op the Foot-and-Mouth Distemper 
IN different Animals. 
Of the various terms which are used to indicate this disease 
perhaps epizootic aphtha or eczema is the best. The expression 
foot-and-mouth disease conveys the erroneous idea that the affec- 
tion always occurs in the mouth and feet, whereas other parts of 
the body are commonly attacked, and one of the parts referred to 
in the popular title may be entirely free. Essentially the disease 
consists in general irritation of the tegumentary and mucous 
structures, with febrile disturbance indicated by an increase of 
temperature. Introduction of the contagium into the system of a 
healthy animal is the only known cause of the disease. 
After the poison enters the blood a period of two to four 
<lays elapses before the malady declares itself. This period is 
termed the incubative stage, which in exceptional cases is pro- 
longed to a week. The first sign of infection having taken place 
is the rise of internal temperature three or four degrees ; in differ- 
ent cases the thermometer will indicate in cattle 104° to 105°, 
and in sheep 104° to 107°. Shortly following the rise of internal 
heat the well-known signs of the affection present themselves in 
•quick succession. 
Referring first to cattle, a marked symptom, which is not 
always present, is the peculiar smacking or sucking noise which 
the animal makes with its mouth ; discharge of saliva may often 
be noticed early in the disease, but this symptom by itself is not 
■sufficient, as it is commonly present when animals have been long 
kept without water. A characteristic sign of disease in the feet is 
afforded by a peculiar movement of the affected limb, resembling 
an attempt to kick something off the foot ; this inclination is 
