68 
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 
critical investigation of this part of the subject is not likely 
to repay the inquirer. 
Since the disease appeared in England it has never been 
entirely eradicated, although its progress has not been uni- 
formly rapid ; some years have been rendered remarkable by 
its extensive spread, and others by its assumption of a cha- 
racter of unusual virulence ; many districts have remained 
free for years, and in other parts of the country it has not 
been absent for many consecutive months. As would be 
expected, breeding districts have been usually exempt, and 
the principal force of the disease has always been expended 
upon places which are on the great lines of cattle traffic. 
The first report of the existence of mouth and foot disease 
in England came from Norfolk, near the town of Loddon, 
and some Devon cattle at Langley Grange were the first to 
suffer ; the remaining cattle on the farm were subsequently 
attacked ; the »disease rapidly extended to London, and in 
September, 1839, it was conveyed to Laleham, near Twicken- 
ham, by a calf which was bought in Smithfield Market. 
During the autumn of 1839 the malady continued its 
course, and in the beginning of 1840 the Royal Agricultural 
Society of England took action for the purpose of obtaining 
information respecting the disease, and also of advising re- 
specting its treatment. The Veterinary Committee of that 
day, in concert with the late Professor Sewell, drew up and 
forwarded to each member a circular, dated April 8th, 1840, 
giving a short account of the symptoms by which the disease 
might be recognised, and offering some suggestions for its 
treatment. 
That the disease referred to in the circular was in all 
essential particulars the one which we have now to deal with, 
will be evident from the following description : — “The attack 
does not always commence in the same form, but ultimately 
terminates in a disease of the same type and character; in 
some animals it commences in the feet, between the claws, 
and in others it appears to have begun in the mouth ; in 
others a stiffness in the legs of the animals is first perceived, 
as if treading upon thorns and briars ; then follows a dis- 
charge of saliva from the mouth, and a champing of the lips, 
accompanied with blisters on the tongue, palate, and lips ; 
the blisters peel off, loss of appetite and general debility ensue/” 
Treatment recommended by Professor Sewell included 
attention to the animal's comfort, laxative medicines, followed 
by tonics, astringent lotion for the mouth, and to the diseased 
feet poultices, and afterwards styptic solutions. 
This circular was followed by another, dated February 3rd, 
