Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1903-01-02

Foot ana Mouth Disease.
BY n. L. ADAMS.

Foot and Mouth Disease.
BY R. L. ADAMS.
The disease which has broken ont in
Massachusetts,, especially in the vicinity
of Boston, known as the foot and
mouth disease (Epizootic Aphtha), is
not new to this country. Thirty years
ago it caused considerable havoc in
Massachusetts,, New York, and Con-
necticut, a. we'll as in Canada. 1t was
finally suppressed and exterminated, at
q cost Of $3, 900, and until few weeks
ago not a single case had been reported
10 the United States since.
The germs which spread the disease
in this last case first found in Brighton
Stock Yards, Brighton. Mass. few
weeks since may have been brought
over from Scotland fens, or some dis
tricts Of France, or from some foreign
country where the disease is prevalent,
ON some travellers cloths who had
visited one Of these places and inspect
the live stock, or on the straw or hay
packed around articles imported from
them. The second herd found with
the disease was in Dedham, Mass, and
the herd here had contracted the dis
ease from COW bought at an auction
in Concord. The COW proved to be
lame. and 20 1t was sent back, but too
late to prevent the Introduction of the
disease and lie spreading to the herd.
From these places the disease spread
rapidly to other places, and there is
danger Of its spreading still further.
y The disease is propagated by germs
and is highly contagious. Persons can
carry the germs on their clothing or
shoes, dogs can transport them, and
they can be taken into the systems of q
healthy herd which passes over the
same road that q sick animal passed
over q few hours previous. Cattle are
not the only animals subject to it, for
1t is contracted by sheep, swine. horses,
poultry. and sometimes by man. In
the latter II comes from drinking the
milk OF eating the flesh Of infected
animals, and sometimes by coming in
contact with the sores; for instance,
the hands coming in contact with the
teats. while milking. The disease has
the nature Of an eruptive fever, which
is easily recognized by the symptoms,
consisting Of . higher temperature in
the mouth. bleeding teats, an erect
coat, loss of appetite, and the secretion
Of '.ropy" saliva. Little blisters, about
one-half inch in diameter, form in the
mouth and various other parts of the
body, a. on the teats. The animal
drivels, and in walking around tresds
on the saliva, in which the virus OBJ
tsined foothold when the blisters broke,
and gets the sores in his hoofs. The
irritation caused by the sores causes the
animal to lie down, go that he gets the
sores on various other parts Of his body
In two or three days the blisters grow
ripe, break, and discharge their con
tents U II number Of these occur in
one place, 1t makes raw spot and is
very irritating The disease runs Its
course in ten Or fifteen days, and the
animal gets well In the majority OF
cases, although II sometimes proves
fatal. VI 81. " "a s5s
A the germs are carried only on solid
matter, no persons are allowed near in
fected places; and II caught are liable
to arrest. Fifty thousand dollars has
been appropriated TO exterminste the
disease, and with such competent men
q we. have IN charge. It will probably
be stamped diout in 5 few weeks. 1so-
lated herds will probably be bought and
killed, while communities infected
withit will be quarantined and traffic
stopped. AZ present Portland is the
only exporting place in New England
doing business. for Maine and Connecti.
cut are the only states in New England
free from the disease.
ft.Etf ~.