is and other infectious diseases in
the Philippine Islands, an order has been issued by the Department of
Agriculture prohibiting the landing of any live stock or animals of any
kind from the Philippines at any of the ports of the United States or the
dependencies thereof. This prohibition removes the greatest source of
danger to which the United States is exposed as the result of its
intercourse with the islands. The introduction of rinderpest from those
countries from which we import animals is rendered extremely improbable,
especially in live animals, owing to its short period of incubation and to
the 90-day quarantine for cattle (counting from date of shipment) and
15-day (counting from date of landing) quarantine for sheep and other
ruminants and swine which are at present enforced in the United States at
all ports of entry.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

[Pl. XXXIII.]

Foot-and-mouth disease, also known as aphthous fever, epizootic aphtha, and
eczema contagiosa, is an acute, highly communicable disease chiefly
confined to cloven-footed animals and characterized by an eruption of
vesicles or blisters on the mucous membrane of the mouth and on the skin
between the toes and above the hoofs. The vesicles rupture, forming
erosions and ulcerations; there are also salivation, tenderness of the
affected parts, loss of appetite, lameness, emaciation, and diminution in
the quantity of milk secreted.

The tremendous ravages of the disease are seen in the number and variety of
the species attacked. While it may be regarded as essentially a disease of
cattle, hogs would seem to be as easy a prey. Almost in the same grade of
receptivity are sheep and goats. Next in order of susceptibility come the
buffalo, American bison, camel, chamois, llama, giraffe, and antelope.
Horses, dogs, cats, and even poultry may occasionally become infected with
the disease, the last three being particularly dangerous as carriers of the
contagion. Man himself is not immune, and the frequency of his infection by
coming in contact with diseased animals is established by numerous
observations.

As with other communicable diseases, the source and origin of
foot-and-mouth disease have given rise to much speculation. The disease
had been known in Europe for centuries, but it was not until comparatively
recent years that the erroneous conceptions of its spontaneous origin as a
result of climatic and meteorological conditions, exhausting journeys,
etc.,