The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-02-25
Foot and Mouth
Disease

j"
Is found every precaution should be
taken to prevent the spread of it, and
drastic measures should be taken to
stamp it out. Recent information
from the state Veterinary College at
Cornell indicates to farmers how the
disease may be known and what
should be done in case it is present.
The foot-and-mouth disease not on
1y attacks cattle, but also sheep and
swine. It is marked by eruptions in
mouth, on the udder and on the foot.
These eruptions consist of blisters,
which vary in size and contain a clear
liquid, which later becomes grayish in
color, and as the disease progresses
the saliva Of the animal becomes
fIothy and ropy. Even before the sa-
Iva is formed the infected animals
are likely to grind their teeth or make
sucking or smacking noises with their
mouths, and. 1t is sometimes possible
to detect the presence of the disease
by noting these sounds when quarters
of the infected herd are entered.
The disease develops rapidly and
has a rapid course; there is little or
no immunity following one attack, so
the cattle may suffer from the second
and even third attack within a few
weeks. This virus may be transmitted
directly from diseased animals to 9TH
ers and may be spread indirectly
through the litter on the stable floor,
from managers, from pastures from
forage, from drinking water or on
roads or from railroad cars on which
diseased cattle have travelled. It may
also be transmitted through the hands
or clothing or shoes of attendants.
The authorities point out that care
l~essness on the part of the individual
will mean continued loss; and they
state that the disease will spread, and
that the quarantine will have to be
maintained to limit farming and in
tercourse between farms SO long as
this -carelessness and indifference con-
tinue. This fact applies especially to
those living near and within the quar-
antine districts. Eradication of the
disease depends mainly, according to
the authorities of the Veterinary Col
lege, upon the enforcement of pre-
cautionary measures to prevent the
spread of the virus. Briefly, every
farmer should, for the purpose of self
protection. hold his animals as in
s!rictest quarantine, and persons,
dogs, cats and even birds should be
kept from coming in contact with the
animals or the place where they are
kept.
The use Of d~isinfectants in and
about the stables is strongly advised,
and it is recommended that some re-
ceptacle containing a disinfectant so
luton should be placed at all doors
leading into stables, and that persons
entering should be required to disin-
feet their shoes or boots when passing
in or out. 1t is even recommended
that d~isinfectants should placed at the
farm gates and entrance to the pas
lures. A barrel cut so it will hold
three or four inches of disinfectant
solution makes a satisfactory recep-
tacle. The following disinfectants are
recommended:
A s per cent solution of pure car
bolic acid q ounces to n gallon of
water).
Chloride of lime. U. S. pharmacop-
oeia go per cent available chlorine;
! pound to 8 gallons of water).
Formaldehyde Il quart 40 per cent
solution to 5 gallons water).
A 8 per cent solution of cresol COM
pound a ounces to 1 gallon water).
If it is necessary to bring animals to
a farm they should be walked through
a ~disinfectant and the coat should be
sponged with the same di~sinfectant.
In and near q%uarantined regions it
would generally pay to construct a
temporary vat through which the ami
mails should pass in getting to and
from the farm. When horses are
driven from the farm to the village
or any outlying community their feet
should be thoroughly ~disinfected on
returning.
1t is urged that all owners of stock
should realize that the financial loss
is borne not alone by the live stock
owner, but by every one in the state.
1t is pointed out that every interest
should dictate a reused and united
action on the part of cattle
and that only daily care and attention
tc precautionary measures will check
the disease and eventually eliminate
it.