Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1914-11-20
WOODSTOCK. VIRGINIA.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 70. 1914.
FOOT-AND-MOUTn DISEASE.
NATURE AND LOSSES.

NATURE AND LOSSES.
This disease is also known as
epizootic aphtha, aphtllous fever,
infectious aphtha, eczema cpl
zootica, and may be defined as
AN acute. highly contagious fever
of specific nature, characterized
by the eruption OF vesicles, or
blisters, in the mouth, around
the coronets of the feet, and be-
tween the toes.
The disease prevails in Euro
pean countries and occasions
great losses. Although the act
ual mortality is quite low, seri-
Gus losses result from the dimi-
mutton of the milk secretion and
consequent interference with the
business of the dairy. There is
likewise more or less loss of flesh
III animals.
Every appearance of foot-and-
mouth disease upon American
soil has been quickly followed by
the total suppression of. the d.
sease.
SYMPTOMS
In three to six days after the
exposure of the animal to the in
lection the disease makes its APP
pearance. 1t is first indicated by
the animal suffering from a chill,
quickly followed by an invasion
Of fever, which may cause the
temperature to rise as high as
100 degrees F. Following this
in one or two days it will be no.
ticed that small vesicles about
the size of hemp seeds or a pea
are making their appearance up
on the mucous membranes of the
mouth at the border and upper
surface of the tongue near the
tip, or on the margin of the dem
tai pad. These little blebs con
tain a yellowish watery fluid and
gradually become more extensive
as the disease advances. Soon
after the eruptions have appear
ed in the mouth of the animal it
will be noticed that there is con
siderable swelling, redness, and
tenderness manifest about the
feet, at the coronet and between
the digits OF each foot. Erup-
tions similar to those within the
mouth make their appearance
upon these swollen regions of the
foot day or two later, and at
this stage it is usual to find tina
like LESSONS have made their ap.
pearance upon the perineum OF
tile victim. In the case of mich
cows, the udder, and more PAL.
ticular the teats, show the same
vascular eruption, but the latter
as the result Of milking soon he.
come covered with Redeemed spots
deprived of the superficial layer
of skin and may develop deep,
obstinate assures.
DIAGNOSIS.
The recognition of this affec.
ton should not, as rule, be
difficult, especially when thu
disease is known to be in the vi
cinity +; in fact, the group OF
symptoms form a clinical picture
too decided to be doubted. The
com binat ion of high fever, vesic-
nlar imfla mmation of the mouth,
and hot, painful, swollen condi-
tion Of the feet, followed in
twenty-four to forty-eight hours
by the appearance of numerous
small vesicles varying in size
from that of a pea to that of
hazelnut on the udder aud feet
and in the mouth should prevent
any serious or long-contirued err
ror in the diagnosis. However,
incubation of calves we have
certain and final test. In TWEEN
ty-four to seventy-two hours af-
ter incubation the calves present
the characteristic yesicles. Such
inocula ton should be practiced,
however, only by officials who
are properly authorized to deal
with contagious diseases.
For fnll information as to the
history, symptoms, treatment
and prevention of this disease.
application should be made to
the Secretary of Agriculture,
Washington, D. C.
Three families of working men
were made homeless at Bunker
Hill, Berkeley county, Friday,
when fire destroyed the house OF
w. E. Rogers, Milton Custer and
Robert Balm. The houses were
O wned BY J. E. Baker, and were