FOOT AND MOUTH

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19604, 17 June 1935, Page 10

FOOT AND MOUTH

HISTORY OF DISEASE.

EMBARGO FAVOURED. VETERINARY OFFICER’S VIEWS. In an article advancing arguments In favour of retaining the embargo on livestock from Britain, Mr J. E. Tomlinson, late Government veterinary ‘Officer, gives an interesting history of the foot and mouth disease. He states that unlike anthrax and abortion, which have been known for 2,000 years and are mentioned in the Bible, the history of foot-and-mouth disease dates back ‘only about 200 years. It was probably of Asiatic origin, and was imported to the United Kingdom during 1839, when it plunged the three kingdoms into dismay by the rapidity with which it spread from place lo place. Since that date, right up to the present, there have been separate visitations, exhibiting different degrees o'f malignity and fatality, that of 18G2 probably being the worst, although during 1870 and 1871 over 1,000,000 head of stock were affected. The disease i* readily transmitted to humans through milk of affected animals. Dr. BalHour and Mr 11. Watson, in practice at that time, have recorded positive proofs. Numerous cases also came under the notice of Professor Geo. Armitiage, lecturer of the Albert and Glasgow Veterinary College, of the disease being transmitted to calves and pigs by the use of milk from affected cows. Mr G. 'Hunting, ‘Durham, slates that during ISO2 he observed poultry suffering where diseased animals were present. The malady is also communicable to man by inoculation, Mr .1. llislop. F.8.C.5.E., of Houston, Renfrewshire, having attended two cases. Dr Balilour commenting on Ihcsc, quotes many others, j and places Hie susceptibility of man beyond dispute. Infectlvo Period. A good sample of vesicle fluid will j still infect, a guinea pig after it has J been diluted with 500,000 equal parts j of water. Experiments have proved 1 tlinl the virus in vesicle fluid or blood, ] kept chemically dry, may remain ac- j live for two years, it is noil-filterable, dial is, it can pass through the usual j baderia fillers: is capable of living 1 for 20 weeks on bran, or for 11. month J on cows' hair. It is infective in hone : marrow up to 7G days and in blood ] for 40 days. j Animals may harbour the disease | for considerable periods. Professor i l.olTler. Ilm scientist who discovered ] Mm virus, says up to 400 days. Under | natural atmospheric conditions it lives 1 six months. Cattle may carry it on. their hoofs, and dislrihulo the disease < some moil Ills after Hie attack. j