The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-13
HUMAN Health and THE
FOOT ND-MQUTH disease
Ihe Danger of Contaminated Milk
spreading the Disease Overcome by
Quarantine and Discrimination
Reports Regarded as Exaggerated

washington, d. c.. Nov. 13.-The
anxiety that has been expressed in sew
eral quarters in regard to the effect
upon human health of the present out
break of the foot and mouth disease is
regarded by government authorities as
somewhat exaggerated. The most com.
mon rear is that the milk supply might
Decoine contaminated. but in view of
tne precautions that the local authori.
1ies IN the infected areas are very
generally ly taking there is comparatively
niue danger of this. Milk from in
| iected farms is not permitted to be
snlpped AT all. The only danger is
therefore. tha- before the disease has
manifested itself some infected milk
might reach the market. For this rea
son experts in the United States De-
partment of Agriculture recommend
pasteurization. As a matter of fact
however, pasteurization is recommended
by the department anyway for all milk
that Is not very high grade and from
tuberculin tested cows.
II mas been demonstrated bv experi
ments which have been made in Den
mark and Germany that DISCRIMINATION
| VIII serve as a safeguard against con
taglon from the foot and mouth disease
Just as readily as it does against tv.
Phold lever, but in any event it mus
De thoroughly done-the milk must be
heated to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and
held at this temperature for 80 min
utes; "'i''
In this country the foot and month
disease has been so rare that there
! are few recorded cases of its trans.
mission TO human beings. In 1902 -
rev cases were reported in New Emo
| land and in 1908 in a few instance,
eruptlons were found in the mouths of
| ehlioreh which were believed to have
peeh caused by contaminated milk,
In looth of these outbreaks the sale of
mix was stopped as soon as the disease
was found among 0he cattle. As long.
therefore as the disease can be con.
hned by rigid quarantine to certain
speclhed areas the danger from this
source is very small. Should the pest.
Hence spread all over this country and
become as general as it has been at
various times in large areas in Europe.
the porblem would become more serious
Under any circumstances. however
pasteurization would be an efficient
remedy. Where pasteurization is NOT
possible, and where there is anv reason
to suspect that the disease NAV exist
tine preeaution of boiling milk might
he advisable. Simple directions FOR
pasteurizing milk at home, however.
are contained in Circular 1871, which
VIII be sent free on application to the
onlted States Department of Agricul.
ture,
COWS affected with the malipnant
form of the disease lose practically all
OF their milk. In mild cases. however
the decrease may be from one.third to
one-haf of the usual yield. The am
pearance of the milk also changes n
becomes thinner, blush and poor in fat
When the udder is affected the milk
frequently contains coagulated filbrin
ana olood, so that considerable sedi.
ment forms, while the cream is thin
and of a dirty color. These changes,
however, occur only when the disease
is IN an advanced stage and, as a mat
ter or fact, the disease is not permitted
10 pass into an advanced stage. as any
stricken animal is at once slaughtered
Men who come in contact with dis.
eased animals may also become infect.
ed In adult human beings the CON
tagion causes such symptoms as sore
mouths, painful swallowing. fever and
occasional eruptions on the hands. fin.
ger tips, etc. While causing consider.
able discomfort, however. the disease ia
rarely serious. Where it is verv prev.
alent among animals, some authorities
oeheVe that 1T is fairly general among
human beings, but that the disturb.
ances Ut causes are usually so SLIGHT
that they are not brought to the nj :.
tentlon of the family physician. There
IS, however, a very good reason for
every one giving the diseased animals
as wide berth as possible. namely
that otherwise they may easily carr
the disease to perfectly healthy herds
Federal inspectors engaged in the wora
of eradicating the pestilence are thrr
oughly equipped with rubber coats.
mats, boots and gloves. which nav be
completely disinfected, and others who
lack thus equipment are strongly urged
not TO allow their curiosity to induce
them to become a menace to their own
and their neighbors property.
The disease, in short, is dangerous
because of its effects upon the health
Of mankind. AT present all infected
herds are being slaughtered as soon as
they are discovered. the carcasses bur.
led and the premises thoroughly disin.
fected. Until all danger of infection
has been removed in this way, the locol
authorities quarantine the milk
Those who wish additional precau-
tons are recommended to use pasteur
lzed milk, but, as has already been said.
this recommendation holds true whether
or not there is any fear of the foot