FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
(Infectious Aphtha—Epizootica Eczema)
Cause.—This disease is produced by a specific agent or germ, the exact nature of which is not known. It will pass through the Berkfelt filter, which is the most minute filter known to science, and is therefore known as a filterable virus. This is an eruptive fever and belongs to the class of Exanthematous diseases such as smallpox, measles, scarlet fever, etc. Every outbreak starts from some pre-existing infection. The infection is distributed by manure, pastures, barnyards, hay, drinking troughs, box cars, ships, boats which have been previously occupied by animals affected with this disease, travel over public highways or man may carry the infection of this disease on his clothing and transmit it to healthy cattle, etc. Foot and Mouth Disease not only affects cattle, but attacks a variety of animals, as the horse, sheep, goat, hog, dog, cat, also wild animals as buffalo, deer, antelope, and man himself is not immune from this disease. Children also suffer from Foot and Mouth Disease, resulting from drinking unboiled milk from infected cattle. Therefore, when purchasing cattle be very careful, as you may be buying an infectious disease. Keep the newly purchased animals to themselves for two or three weeks, if possible. This will give ample time for the majority of infectious diseases to develop.
Symptoms.—The disease usually makes its first appearance in three to six days after being exposed, by chilling, rise of temperature, and in a day or so pustules varying in size from that of a pin head to that of a pea appear. They appear upon the inner surface of the lips, gums and upper surface of the tongue. The feet also become affected between the digits. The udder usually becomes affected, especially in milking cows. As soon as this disease becomes well established the affected animal evinces great pain when attempting to eat. The animal generally refuses food. In many instances they shut and open the mouth with a smacking sound owing to the stringy saliva flowing from the mouth. The ulcers in the mouth continue to enlarge until they attain the size of one-half to two inches in diameter. The mucous membrane covering these ulcers breaks and a watery discharge escapes. In a few days the surface of the ulcers takes on a whitish appearance. The same changes take place in the feet and the animal becomes very lame and the udder very much swollen, the ulcers discharge, etc.
Prevention.—When any of the above mentioned symptoms are noticed, non-affected animals should immediately be removed to non-affected quarters. This disease is not communicated through the atmosphere but by the animal coming into direct contact with the infection or virus; hence it is not necessary to move unaffected animals any great distance but merely to clean, sanitary quarters which have not been subjected to any possible infection from the diseased animals. It must be borne in mind that the attendant or helper cannot be too careful in the matter of his own actions and dress as the infection is easily carried through clothes, fecal matter, etc., adhering to shoes or any matter or articles, such as buckets, brushes, rub-rags, blankets, etc.
The existence of this disease should at once be reported to the State Veterinarian of your State or to the United States Bureau of Animal Industry at Washington, D. C.
Treatment.—I cannot recommend any treatment as being satisfactory or a cure, for although under some treatments the animal appears to make a good recovery, in the majority of cases the feet are disfigured and crippled, the udder permanently injured with growths, animal unfit for milking purposes, and the mouth, tongue and teeth left impaired; the mouth and tongue strictured from wounds and the teeth loosened from the gums. Furthermore, should an animal make apparent recovery, it is not immune from a recurrence of the disease. In treating the disease, there is not only danger of spreading the disease to other animals, but to man. The flesh or milk from animals apparently cured should never be used unless first examined by a qualified meat inspector.
Without question, all animals showing severe symptoms as above described should be at once slaughtered and buried six feet or deeper, covering carcass with Quicklime and then promptly filling grave, according to the Government regulations, which should be followed explicitly. Be careful to disinfect scene of slaughter, as bloodstains, etc. The United States Bureau of Animal Industry regulates the disinfectants to be used and the strength thereof, and as these are subject to change from time to time, I must refer you in this matter to the proper Government authorities.
Medical Treatment.—If permitted by Government authorities, I would suggest the following treatment as being beneficial: In mild attacks of Foot and Mouth Disease benefits may be derived by cleanliness and the applications of antiseptics as placing Boracic Acid, one dram; Potassium Chlorate, two drams, in a bucket of water, compelling the animal to drink it. Repeat this dose two or three times a day. Also compel the animals to stand in tubs or troughs containing a one in one thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury for at least five minutes, twice daily. When other parts of the body become affected, as the cow’s udder, apply Carbolated Vaseline twice daily. This treatment should be continued until all ulcers have ceased to discharge. Always keep in mind that this disease is contagious and is transmitted to other animals, as well as to man. For disinfecting corrals, barns, clothing, hands and anything which the diseased animal might come in contact with, I would recommend Coal Tar products, diluted one part to fifty parts warm water. Spray, sprinkle or scrub.