Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-03-22
Cur Agents.
FOOT-A MOUTH DISEASE IT'S
NATURE AND TREATMENT.

FOOT MOUTH DISEASE IT'S
NATURE AND TREATMENT.
from ."Ehe Principles and Prac'
.tsice of Veterinary Medicine.r
by Professor Vvililams Of ~
Edlnburgh, Scotland.
A highly contagious and infectioui
febrile disease, associated with q vesic'
ular eruption in the mouth, between
the pedal digits and around the coro-
nets. In some cases the mouth only
is affected, in others the feet may be
the seat OF the eruption, the membrane
Of the mouth remaining free. In milch
cows it sometimes happens that a vesic'
ular eruption occurs on the mammary
gland, and within the lactiferous ducts
when such occurs, the milk, contamin-
ated by the vascular discharge, is rem
dered unfit for use, either as food for
the human being or for the lower ami
mails, as it may induce q vascular
eruption in the mouth, larynx ,pharynx,
and intestinal canal.
Unlike rinderpest and pleuro-pneu-
monia, which are almost confined to
the ruminantia, contagious eczema
affects cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, poul-
try, and even human beings are subject
to the influence of its virus. It is
amongst horned cattle that we find the
ravages of this disease to be most ex.
tensive, they seemingly being most
susceptible to the influence of the con-
tagious poison: sheep and goats, how
ever, suffer very severely, and dogs
and pigs and poultry often die from 1t.
After a period Of incubation, varying
from t%wenty-four hours to three OF
four days, the invasion and progress OF
the disease are characterized by an ele-
valion of temperature Of from two to
four degrees; by the formation of We
sicles, varying in size from that OF a six
pence to that of half a crown, on the
tongue, inside the lips, roof of the
mouth, and sometimes on the udder
whilst smalIer blisters make their ap.
pearance between the dtgits and
around the coronets and heels, and there
is a discharge from the eyes and nose.
The animal presents signs of %uneasiness
in the mouth by constant movement OF
the lips, champing of the teeth, q flow
of saliva from the mouth, and difficulty
in masticating its food; the affection Of
the feet being indicated by some de-
gree of lameness in the foot or feet
affected. In a short time the epithelial
and cutaneous structures %inclosing the
vesicles are separated and thrown ofl
in nor or less rounded patches, leav'
ing raw surfaces, which are, however,
speedily recovered by epithelium. In
some instances there is an entire sepa-
ration of the hoofs from the feet.
The symptoms are undoubtedly due
to the presence of q morbid poison in
the animal economy, and are NANTES
tations of the elimination Or e%xcretion
of that poison, which evidently has
some special affinity to the mucous and
cutaneous structures of the several
parts of the body which it invades.
Eliminated by the feet and by the
mouth, pastures very soon become Inn
pregnated with it, and hence We find
that, owing to the great facility by
which it is thus spread over a wide dis
trict Of country, it appears to be the
most infectious of maladies. Beyond
question, the virus Of eczema is con-
veyed from field to field, from parish to
parish, from county to county, by small
game, vermin, aud dogs; and, looking
to this fact, we can account for the
myterious outbreak of the disease
In places and districts into which no
fresh cattle have been admitted. This
frequently unaccountable appearance
of the foot-and-mouth disease has led to
the belief that it is of spontaneous ORR
gin; some believing that, although
originating spontaneously, it is propa-
gated by %contagion; others that 1t orig
mates in all casesindependently ofcon-
tagion, and that it is due to climatic or
atmospheric causes, exposure, and the
facilitating effects Of long journeys by
land or sea. It is very true that In
creased susceptibility to the disease is
induced by any facilitating cause, but
neither age, condition, management,
climate, temperature, nor any common
cause of disease seems to exert any
modifying influence. No extremity OF
privation, nor the continued action OF
ordinary causes, is capable of inducing
It; and one reason for the indifference
which has been shown in respect to its
ravages is to be found in the belief in
its spontaneous origin, an idea which
arises out of the observations of its fire.
quentIy unaccountable appearance in
isolated places.-Prof. Brown on
"Mouth-and-Foot Complaint"
1t was at one time believed that ar
animal which had onc suffered from
eczema c%ontagiosa was guarded against
another attack. This, however, is
faliacy: and it is now generally believ-
ed that an animal is only once attacked
during q season. As a general rule
this may be said to be the case, anC
consequently a herd which has gone
through the disease early in the season
Jet that be the spring or autumn, thu
periods when, in consequence of thu
Increased movements of cattle from
place to place, the disease is most riff
is considered more valuable to tn
purchaser and worth more money il
liable to many exceptions, and it is b,
no means impossible for the same ami
NAL to suffer from two, three, or evel
four attacks during a period Of a tev
months.
Some observers have thought that tn,
contagion was contained OF existed il
the form of a vegetable parasite-fun
gus; whilst others, specializing as to it
source Of origin, have advanced tn
idea that it is due to the development
of organic germs having Independent
moveinents-in fact to living particle
OF animal matter. These are however
specu' ations which cannot be confirme'
by examination with high microscope
powers, they therefore fall to III
ground. Microscopic examinations Q
the blood, saliva, tears, and the cor
tents of the vesicles, have failed to de
tect any substance to the presence {
which the disease might be ascribed
The blood c%orpuscles are very ofte
ste'late or star-liko i'll form, and rapid
ly change to their natural circula
shape; there is, however, no specialt
in this as regards the blood of catt!e,s
The same thing occurs in splenic ap<
plexy, rinderpest, aud even when a
animal is apparently in a healthy cor
dition. Professor Brown attache
some importance to the presence
vibriones, bacteria, and monads, whic
are found in the discharge from til
eyes, saliva, and the contents of til
vesicies. The milk also contains thes
bodies, and upon this head Professc
Brown is very clear and distinct. 3
says: siMilk from cows affected vii
foot-and- mouth disease acts energet
cally upon young animals to which it
given warm. Calves occasionally d
quite suddenly after sucking COW