636 
ON APHTHOUS DISEASE AMONG CATTLE. 
The first of these is characterized by symptoms which, although 
general, are not the less precursory. 
The second is announced by the cessation of the febrile pheno- 
mena and the appearance of the aphthous vesicles. 
The third may be known by the ulceration of the vesicles and 
the abundance of the salivation ; 
And the fourth, by the progress of the ulcers towards cicatriza- 
ation. This is the convalescence. 
First Stage ; Commencement 
Cattle. — The first symptoms which announce this disease are, 
dulness — want of appetite — prostration of strength — shiverings — 
and heat of the skin. Oxen and cows project the head over the 
chest, and rest it upon the edge of the manger — the muzzle is dry ; 
so is the part around the nostrils — the mouth is dry and red — the 
outer edges of the tongue are red — from time to time the teeth are 
ground together, and the lips move convulsively — the breath fre- 
quently exhales a very unpleasant smell — the look is fixed — the 
animals appear unconscious — they move with difficulty — the ver- 
tebral column is inflexible — the thirst is moderate — and the alvine 
matters much as usual. 
These precursory symptoms do not appear in all animals with 
equal intensity; sometimes there is less constraint, less prostration, 
less heat of the skin, less colour in the mouth, and rigidity of the 
dorsal column. This is when the epizootic is declining. 
Sheep. — These animals are dull — depressed — lie crouched in a 
corner of the stable, and the head slightly drawn towards the neck. 
It is only with great difficulty that they can be made to get up and 
go out to pasture : the mouth is hot and clammy — the appetite 
suspended — the gait tottering. 
Pigs . — Like the sheep, they lie down in some retired spot, utter- 
ing deep grunts, which become louder when an attempt is made to 
turn them out. If they succeed in rising, the suffering is so great 
as to prevent locomotion — they remain motionless, moving the 
head from the right to the left, and their gait resembles that of pigs 
that have travelled a long distance. 
The duration of this epoch in cattle is usually thirty-six hours, 
and at most forty-eight. In sheep and pigs it is but twenty-four 
hours. 
Second Stage. 
In all animals this is announced by a cessation of the febrile 
symptoms, and the eruption of little vesicles on the mucous mem- 
