New-York tribune., 1902-12-05
PERIL IN CATTLE DISEASE
A MENACE TO FARMERS THROUGHOUT
THE COUNTRY
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $1,000 600. IF
NECESSARY TO STAMP OUT THE FOOT
AND MOUTH SCOURGE IN
EW-ENGLAND.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSE.l


Washington, Dec. 4-The President and Cab
met are taking unusual interest in the foot and
mouth disease among cattle in the New-Eng-
land States Secretary Wilson of the Depart
ment of Agriculture has been requested by the
Cabinet to spare no pains or expense in stamp
ing out the disease in Massachusetts and Rhode
Island and preventing it from crossing the Hud-
son River
THE agriculturists Of this country, and par
ticularly of the Eastern and Middle States. are
confronted with the greatest menace that ever
has threatened them." said Congressman James
w. Wadsworth. OF Geneseo. chairman of the
House Committee on Agriculture. to Tribune
reporter to-day. "New-York farmers should
absolutely refuse to buy stock from New-Eng
land, no matter what the inducement. If this
foot and mouth disease once gets thoroughly
started among the cattle of NewYork state it
will mean a loss Of $5.000.O00. DR.. Salmon, of
the Bureau OF Animal Industry, has gone TO
Boston, and has just summoned his corps of
thirty experts from the West. He has been in
formed that the government will back him up
to the extent of S1.000.0O0. if necessary, but
that he must not quit until the disease is
stamped out. The government has quarantined
New England. Every expert in the employ of
Commissioner wieting of the New-Yo-k De-
partment of Agriculture should be sent TO the
New-England border with instructions to act as
detective in stopping traffic of cattle across
the border. The disease Is now prevalent
around Boston and in Rhode Island. Combat
ing the disease has cost England millions of
pounds
According to accurate statistics. 431.2 .23J head
of cattle go. SOS sheep and goats and 153.SOs
swine were affected by the disease in Germany
in 1S9a In the same year the disease prevailed
in France Italy. Belgium, Austria Hungary,
Switzerland. Rumania and Bulgaria The dls-
ease may attack the same animals repeatedly
NATURE OF THE DISEASE.
The foot and mouth disease develops blisters
in the mouth and on the feet of cattle and hogs
Sheep and goats less susceptible Horses
are seldom affected. Human beings may be-
come infected by drinking the unboiled miik
from COWS suffering with the disease. wnlGh
is propogated by Specinc virus tIeherdAS
spea king stables thoroughly cleaned become
safe after drying for short time Litter or
all kinds, such manure, solled nay ana straw
NAV remain infective for longer time because
they do not drv out. The disease begins with
a fever The lining membrane or the mouth
becomes redeemed and the appetite is dlfrln-
ished. The mouth is usually kept closed alter
two or three days the eruption appears. This
consists of small yellOwish-white blisters about
as large as pea on the gums and inner sur
face Of the Iips the inside of the cheeks. the
border and under surface of the tongue. The
bIisters soon burst, leaving red spots. which
seem to be very painful. In this stage the sallVa
forms in large quantities and hangs In strings
from the mouth.
In treating the disease the following solutions
have been tried with good results: one ounce
of borax in three pints OF water. containing
vinegar and salt; one ounce of alum IN a quart
of wafer These may be applied with syringe
or poured in from bottle once or twice day.
For the feet. cleanliness is the first requisite.
but a solution of carbolic acid, one ounce In
three pints of water. equal parts of wood
tar and olive oil, are recommended