404 
J. T. DUNCAN. 
four days, followed by irregular pimply hardness of the skin, 
more particularly about the base of the teats. 
The pimples may sometimes be felt in live days after commu- 
munication ; they assume a red hue when about the size of a pea, 
are very painful and hard, gradually increasing in size, and in 
three or four days attain that of a horse-bean. They rise in the 
centre, become more or less pointed, containing at first a clear, 
and ultimately a turbid fluid. If the vesicles are broken, trouble¬ 
some ones supervene, the discharge from which will communicate 
the disease to the milker, if he is not protected by previous inoc¬ 
ulation. The pustules become depressed in the centre, and dry 
scabs form on the surface. Some of these slough, leaving a raw 
surface. 
The crusts, if left undisturbed, become thicker, and spontane¬ 
ously separate in about three weeks, leaving a small depression or 
pit. 
In hot climates, variola vaccina is sometimes fatal, but in 
temperate climes, there is but slight diminution of milk, with 
almost no loss of appetite. 
When a disease breaks out in a dairy it is apt to spread to the 
whole herd, unless affected animals are separated from each 
other, and different attendants employed. 
The milk should be drawn off with a syphon, and if the mam¬ 
mary gland be much inflamed, it should be thoroughly fomented, 
and dressed with a cooling lotion; a saline purgative (or laxative 
rather) be given, together with nitrate of potash dissolved in the 
water. 
As a general rule, no medicinal measures are required, how 
ever.* 
I have thus passed briefly in review the contagious diseases of 
cattle. Press of professional duties has prevented me giving the 
time to the subject that I could have wished to devote to it ; but 
I hope that in these pages will be found the practical questions 
in connection with the disease, discussed with sufficient fulness 
and clearness to repay their perusal by all interested in the con¬ 
servation of our present immunity from them. 
* Prof. Williams. 
