Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-01-18
THE CATTLE DISEASE IN NEW
-- ENGLAND

among the cattle in some portions Of New
York and in the contiguous New England
States, said 10 he identical With the
foot and mouth cattle disease which sew
eraa llf niaotiths ago play ed sueh1 Rssoe sfnosg
The herds Of Great ,BFitaih Snd other parts
Of Europe, and which isosven now only
held in check byrigidc sanitary and police
regulations. II the case of the disease
in New England, incubation of the
whole herd is recommended in localities
where it may make IFS appearance, as it is
regarded as contagious. The Governor
of Rhode Island has issued proclams-
ton setting forth that dangerous disease
has lately broken out among the neat cat
tie, horses, and other domestic animals in
the neighboring States, and he requests
the town councils 10 take Immediate ac-
ton to prevent the dissemination of it in
that State, and where the disease exists to
use every possible measure to cleanse and
disinfect the cattle, and the stables and
yards where they are kept. He says;
"There are disinfectants now known--ss,
for example, carbolic acid and its
various combinations-that are supposed
to be effectual, when properly applied,
for the destruction of infection and con-
tagion of this description. The local
authorities are urged to pass acts or or
dinances prohibiting the driving of cattle
through the streets or highways until after
suitable inspection, and if need be to
s'stamp out" the disease, as was done in
England with the rinderpest, by the
slaughter of all animals showing symp-
toms of it. Housekeepers in New
England begin to exhibit some interest In
the question whether the milk and beef
which come into their kitchens Is likely
to be iniuriolsly affected by the prevalent
cattle disease. Gov. English, of Con.
necticut, in the absence of any authority
vested in him to take the necessary action
in the premises, has issued proclama-
ton earnestly recommending that the
several towns in the State adopt, through
their representative Boards of Health,
such quarantine and other precautionary
measures as shall most effectually remedy
the evil complained of and prevent as
far as possible the further spread of this
contagious disease-there being no ques-
ton as to the authority of the several
towns thus to act in the matter"
The disease is new 10 this country, and,
il is said, has been traced TO recent i'm
portations of cattle from Europe, by way
of Canada. 1t is quite as probable that
it has its origin in the system of stall
feeding adopted in the Eastern States.
But, whatever may be the cause, there
eau be no doubt that it is creating great
anxiety among cattle owners, butchers and
the people generally. The disease in
question is styled in Europe Eczema
Epizootic0, sometimes called EpizoOtic
Aptbd, but is popularity known there as
the "Foot and Mouth disease" 1t is
contagious in its character, and is the
more dangerous, though not necessarily
fatal, from the rapidity with winch
it is propagsted, not only by direct con-
tact with other herds, but also 10y means
of railway trausportation-''th fact be-
ing now established" says the New York
Sanitary Inspector, ''that the cars them
selves, as well as the yards in which dis
eased cattle have been but short time,
are means of communicating the infection
to healthy stock The symptoms of the
disease manifest themselves in the dull
and listless appearance of the animal and
the loas of its appetite In COWS there is
an immediate falliugof in the quantity OF
milk; the feet become tender; infismms
ton sets in between the hoOfs, ending
finally 10 suppuration and the discharge OF
an irritating fluid. The suffering animal,
through licking the affected part, commu-
nicates the disease to the tongue, which
presently becomes blistered, and these bis
tiers breaking, 'leave raw sores and shreds
of loose skin inside the upper lip, on the
roof of the mouth, the tongue, and be-
tween the hOofS. The disease is, never
theless, manageable, and in most cases,
if proper means are taken, can be cured
within thirty days. Thus far, no cattle
are known to be affected south of New
York. But it is not the less important
thst careful watch should be kept over
the possible appearance of so dangerous
an epidemic in other States, and wherever
symptoms of it appear, remedial agents
should be promptly applied.
But the question of most importance,
so far as the general public is concerned,
is the effect of this disease on the flesh
and milk Of the animals. The English
investigations of this important matter
are not conclusive. In respect to the
meat of cattle killed in the early stages of
the disease, and subsequently exposed for
sale, there appears TO be no recorded evil
dence of its having produced any IN
healthy effects on those who have eaten
it. On the other hand, it has been proven
that the milk of COWS suffering from this
malady, when used freely and unboiled,
has occasioned, in many instances, serious
febrile effects-''producing vesicles on
the mucous membrane of the mouth and
tongue, which, on breaking, leave super
fetal alterations, and, at times, an her.
petic eruption about the exterior of the
lips" No deaths, however, in any case
are known to have ensued. 1t is obvious,
nevertheless, that such disease amongst
the cattle of State, requires prompt at
tentiOn and active measures of treatment;
nor should any such cattle be allowed to
be sold in market. In Duchess county,
New York, the authorities have strictly
prohibited the sale of milk from any cows
that have suffered from the disease, until
after the lapse of thirty days has afforded
r L. n