THE LATE EPIDEMIC DISEASES OF CATTLE, &c. 381 
In some severe cases the disease appeared to be of a mixed 
character, at times requiring bleeding and physic. I have had 
occasion to use both, but only a few out of several hundreds 
actually needed it. 
By allowing the eruption to make its appearance, and by keep- 
ing them cool, quiet and dry, they appeared to recover soonest 
from it. I was sent for to attend on two cows which apparently 
had recovered from the disease, and were sound on their feet, but 
on being turned out on too wet pasture had become very lame. I 
examined their feet, which were intensely red, particularly at the 
heels. I had them confined to the house, gave them for food cut 
grass, and applied a tepid cataplasm containing acetate of lead in 
the proportion of half an ounce to each foot, and to be kept dry 
and quiet. These animals required no farther treatment. 
I allude to these cases, in consequence of having seen smiths, 
and others who have followed their example, apply powerful 
stimulants and strong solutions of caustic, producing severe pain, 
extensive inflammation and swelling, and frequently symptoms of 
sloughing of the hoofs. 
The soil here is of various qualities, and the disease has been 
raging in all kinds of weather. No particular state of the atmo- 
sphere seems to influence the disease, either mitigating or aggra- 
vating it. It is a contagious disease, but not of an epidemic 
character. When a disease is said to be epidemic, I mean one 
that is produced by a certain state or condition of the atmo- 
sphere. That state has, I believe, baffled a great many who 
have entered upon its investigation. The disease has been called 
murrain, or plague, but it has no resemblance to that disease. 
In plague, actual contact is necessary, either with the affected 
individual or with his apparel. There are many diseases that 
are propagated by contagion, such as mange, &c., and unattended 
with febrile symptoms. This disease among cattle is of a vari- 
olous nature, and resembles small-pox more than any other erup- 
tive disease. 
In consequence of cattle having a dense texture of their skin, 
preventing the eruption from making its appearance, extensive 
disease is produced upon more tender parts, as the mouth, teats, 
and feet. Cows having the disease, and being far advanced in 
their pregnancy towards the crisis of it, it frequently follows 
that, after the calf is born, it contracts the disease, and dies. 
This is often attributed to the poisonous quality of the milk, in- 
stead of the disease being otherwise received from its female 
parent. I have taken the matter from the teat of a diseased cow, 
and inserted it into the skin of my hand and arm, and in both 
cases have produced distinct pustules on them. I have also 
