Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1884-03-21

Kansas is what is known as the foot
and mouth disease in Great Britain.
Yours Truly, S. G.. BRABRooK.
FOoT-AND-MoUTH DISEASE.
C.HV., DE WITT, DAK-Please give full
description ofsymptoms, and best methods
Of trea ing fOOt-and mouth disease. Quite Il
number of cattle have recently died, few
miles from here. Of what some fear is that
disease. will visit the herd and on my re-
turn give you farther information.
RBPLY.-Foot and mouth disease,
technically "epizoo,ic aphtha," is an
exceedingly contagious and eruptive
fever, to which all the cloven-footed
domestic animals are liable. The virus
is liable to be communicated by actual
contact, or through the medium of at
tendan;s, fodder, manure, drinking
troughs, pasturage, etc. It's period of
incubation is short-from twenty-four
to forty-eight hours, seldom or never
so long as six days The first symp-
tom, as in all diseases Of this nature,
is an increase of the temperature Of the
body. The animal will be away from
the herd, dull and mopish shortly it
will be seen to have quantity OF ropy
saliva hanging from its mouth. almost
to the ground, the eyes blood, shot, with
the usual symptoms oftever--quicken-
ed pulse and breathing, etc. Often the
feet will be swollen above the hoofs.
and very painful. Very soon vesicles
will begin to appear on the tongue and
lips, varying IN size from FIVE cent
piece to a quarter of a dollar. These,
in few hours, burst, thickening and
increasing the flow of saliva and ting
ing it with blood, and leaving raw sores
that are very sensitive. Small sores
also appear about the feet above the
hoofs and between the digits, and the
animal will lie much of The time from
the pain. Occasionally, in milch COWS,
the udder becomes very painful and
swollen, and sores or eruptions appear
on it and on the teats. Other compli-
cations may also arise in severe forms
of the disease-sloughings about the
mouth and nasal passages, also about
the feet, even to the extent OF expos
ing the bones, and leaving unhealthy
sores that are slow in healing. Alb
scesses may also form in the udder, or
deposits may take place in it which de-
suoy its secretlng powers, but the cas-
es are not very common. In the usual
course of the disease, the sores of the
mouth rapidly he al. the flow of saliva
gradually disappears, also the febrile
symptoms; the appetite returns, the
lameness disappears, and complete re-
covery usually takes place IN about
two or three weeks. The loss of Hbn-
dition is often considerable, and in
mich COWS permanent dimiaution or
utter loss of milk is often found. The
treatment should be, give, as soon as
the disease is observed, a saline laxa-
tlve-Epsom salts, about three quar-
ters Of a pound. Use, two or three
times day, wash for the sore mouth
-one ounce of borax in a quart uf
sweeteled water-and, as dressing
for the sore feet, a mid l;niment-car-
bolic acid one part, linseed oil twenty
parts. Poultices of bran or linseed
meal are often also very beneficial. If
the udder or teats of mich COW are
affected, it may be necessary to draw
the milk with teat syphon. Foment
the swollen udder with warm water,
and lightly touch the teats and uddcl
with the liniment used for the feet. The
comfort of the suffering animal must be
studied. Cleanliness, pure air, and
good bedding are essential. The feet,
if not in poultices, should be bound in
soft rags, to prevent them flom irrita-
lion. The food should be soft, easily
masticated. and easy of digestion.
Give drachm Of the cnlorate of pot
ash twice day In the food, Deaths
seldom occur from foot-and mouth dis
ease unless there are other compllca-
tons.