Milford chronicle., 1914-12-04
HUMAN HEALTH and The
FOOT -AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

The anxiety that has been expressed
in several quarters in regard to the effec
upon human health of the preseHt out
break of the foot-and-mouth disease i.
regarded by Government authorities a.
somewhat exaggerated. The most com
mon fear is that the milk supply might
become contaminated, but in view of the
| precautions that the local authorities in
the infected areas are very generally tax
ing, there is comparatively little danger
of this. Milk from infected farms is not
permitted to be shipped at all The only
danger IS, therefore, that before the dis
ease has manifested itself some infected
milk might reach the market For this
reason experts in the department recon-
mend pasteurization. AS matter of fact
however, pasteurization is recommended
by the department anyway for all milk
that us not very high grade and from
tuberculin-tested COWS.
1t has been demonstrated BY expert
ments which have been made in Denmark
and Germany that pasteurization will
serve as a safeguard against contagion
from the foot-and mouth disease, Just as
readily as 1t does against typhoid fever,
but in any event it must be thoroughly
done-the milk must be heated to l459
+. and held at this temperature for thirty
minutes
In this country the foot-aud mouth
disease has been so rare that there are
few recorded cases of its transmission to
human beings. In 1902 a few cases were
reported in New England and in 1908 in
a few instances eruptious were found in
the mouths of children, which were be-
ieved to have been caused by coutami-
mated milk In both of these outbreaks
the sale of milk was stopped a soon as
the disease was found among the cattle
As long therefore as the disease can be
confined by rigid quarantine to certain
specified areas the danger from this source
is very small. Should the pesulence
spread all over this country and become
as general as it has been at various times
in large areas in Europe, the problem
would become more serious. Under any
circumstances, however, pasteurizatiou
would be an efficient remedy Where
pastueuzaton is not possible and where
there Is any reason to suspect that the
disease may exist the precaution of boil.
ing milk might be advisable
Cows affected with the malignant form
Of the disease lose practically all of their
milk. In mild cases, however, the de-
crease may be from one-third to one
half of the usual yield. The appearance
0f the milk also changes. II becomes
thinner, blush, and poor in fat. When |
he udder is affected, the milk frequently /
contains coagulated fbrin and blood so |
hat considerable sediment forms, while |
he cream is thin and of dirty color |
These changes, however occur only when |
he disease is in an advanced stage, and |
IS a matter of fact the disease is not per-
nitted to pass into an advanced stage, as
NY stricken animal is at once slaughtered.
Men who come in contact with dis
ased animals may also become infected.
n adult human beings the contagion
auses such symptoms as sore mouths,
ainful swallowing, fever, and occasional
ruptions on the hands, finger tips, etc
While causing considerable discomfort,
owever, the disease is rarely serious.
Where it is very prevalent among ami
1als, some authorities believe that it is
iirly general among human beings, but
nat the disturbances it causes are usu-
lly so slight that they are not brought
} the attention of the family physician.
here is, however, a very good reason
u every one giving the diseased ami
lals as wide berth as possible, namely,
lat otherwise they may easily carry the
isease to perfectly healthy herds. Fed
raj inspectors engaged in the work of
the pestileuce are thoroughly
luipped with rubber coats, hats, boots,
i'd gloves, which may be completely
and others who lack this
luipment are strongly urged not to al
w their curiosity to induce them to be- y
,me a menace to their own and their !
eighbor's property.
The disease. in short, is dangerous be-
.Use of the loss that it occasions to prop
ty and not because of its effect upon L
lie health of mankind. At present all "
fected herds are being slaughtered as
on as they are discovered, the carcasses
lried, and the premises thoroughly
sinfected. Until all danger of infection
IS been removed in this way the local
.thorities quarantine the milk.
Those who wish additional precautions e
e recommended to use pasteurized
ilk, but as has already been said, this
holds true whether or
t there is any fear of the foot-and-
outh disease,