The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-11-26
Foor-ANp-MouTH DISEASE

The outbreak OF foot-and-mouth
disease has already affected an area
so large that IL is evident that most
active measures are necessary TO
cradicte II. Cases have been found
as far apart as Iowa and Massa-
chusctts, and Mt the time OF this
writing Nov i0) ~ States have
been qlmrmtined- Massachusetts,,
New York. Pennsylvania, Indiana, IL
linois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin,
Maryland. Iowa, Rhode Island, New
Jersey. and Delaware. Interstate
shipments Of live stock from these
States are absolutely prohibited, and
such articles rs hides, straw, hay,
etc. must be thoroughly disinfected
before they can be moved in inter-
state commerce. Both in virulence
and in extent Of area affected the
present outbreak is more serious
than any Of the five previous ones
which have occurred in the United
States.
These previous outbreaks have
not been sufficiently serious to fam
,liarize farmers with the symptoms
~ the disease or 10 render them
fully alive to the losses that il oc-
casions when permitted to gain a
Arm foothold. One Of its most dang
erous characteristics is its extreme
contagiousness. Not only may IL be
conveyed directly from one animal
10 another, but il may be transport
ed in fodder, picked up from the
ground and carried over the coun-
try by cats, dogs, and chickens, or
communicated through the agency
Of man. Cases have already been
found in which IL seems certain
that the disease was spread by the
curiosity of farmers TO inspect suff-
ering' animals. They returned from
these visits 10 communicate the dl-
sease TO their own previously
healthy herds.
The contagiousness Of the disease
explains the action of the Federal
authorities in quarantining such
large areas. The practice is TO clap
a blanket Of quarantine on the
State in which case OF the di-
sease has been found. and then. by
careful investigation, determine the
exact area infected. When an ami
nal suffering from foot-and-mouth
disease is discovered in herd the
whole herd is at once slaughtered.
Otherwise II would remain a dang
erous source of infection and be a
menace to the entire community. IL
is customary To appoint an apprais-
er TO value the herd. One-half of
the appraised value is paid to the
owner by the Federal Government
and one-half by the State. The
slaughtered animals are buried in n
deep trench. their hides slashed to
make il useless for anyone 10 dig
them up again. and the carasses
are saturated with quicklime. In
this manner previous outbreaks
have been completely stamped out
and there is every reason 10 hope
that this will be the case this year.
The chief danger is that there may
be infected herds whose existence is
not reported TO the proper authori-
ties. Farmers are therefore urged,
both for their own protection and as
a duty TO their neighbors, TO report
Immediately all cases Of suspicious
sore mouths or lameless among
their stock.
Foot and-mouth disease affects
chiefly cattle, sheep, goats, and
swine. but there are a number of
other animals OF less commercial
Importance which are also suseept-
ible. Occasionally human beings are
affected. but in the majority OF
instances the disease is not severe
in the case OF man. Children, how
ever, may become dangerously i'll
II the mix IL injected.
The first indications OF the dis
ease are a chill followed by high
fever. the temperature rising rapid
~, sometimes to i06 degrees +. In
a short time vesicles about the size
OF the pea appear in the mouth at
the end OF the tongue, on the inside
OF the cheeks, and on the gums.
These vesicles contain a yellowish
watery fluid, They spread as the
disease advances and cause the an
imal TO open and shut its mouth I'M
easily with a characteristic smack
ing sound. A day or two after the
first appearance Of the eruptions in
the mouth similar indications APP
pear on the feet, which are swollen,
red, and tender. Because Of this the
animal frequently persists in lying
down, and bedsores develop with
much rapidity. In the case of cows
the udder and, more frequently, the
teats are affected by a similar erup-
ton.
IL Ill.