Part 107

The methods of prevention in general are similar to those described under the discussion of the twisted stomach worm (p. 521).

PARASITES OF THE BLOOD.

Certain flukes (Schistosoma bovis and related species) which live in the blood vessels (the large veins) of cattle in tropical and sub-tropical countries cause bloody urine and diarrhea, the feces being mixed with blood. These parasites have not yet been discovered in the United States, although the natural conditions are such in some parts of the country that they are liable to become established if introduced.

The embryos of Setaria labiato-papillosa (p. 529) which occur in the blood may be found by microscopical examination. They apparently cause no trouble.

The organism which causes Texas fever is a protozoan parasite (Piroplasma bigeminum) of microscopic size, which lives in the blood and attacks the red blood corpuscles. For a discussion of this parasite and the disease which it produces see page 476 of this volume.

Other parasites which live in the blood cause serious diseases known as surra and nagana (p. 500), but as yet neither of these diseases has gained a foothold in the United States.

PARASITES OF THE EYE.

Small roundworms, one-third to four-fifths of an inch in length, may occur in the ducts of the lacrimal glands. Several species all belonging to the same genus (Thelazia) are known. They sometimes escape from their usual location and may be found on the surface of the eyeball beneath the lids, or even in the eyeball. It has been supposed by some writers that the worms seen in the interior of the eyeball ("snakes in the eye") are immature stages of Setaria labiato-papilosa (see p. 529) which have gone astray from the normal course of their migration, but the correctness of this supposition is uncertain.

Worms in the eyes and lacrimal ducts may cause inflammation, in which case the eyes may be syringed with an antiseptic, such as a weak solution of coal-tar stock dip, and iodoform ointment applied if the condition is severe.

When worms are present in the eyeball itself, their removal depends upon surgical treatment, usually not advisable, as the worms in that location either cause but little trouble or disappear without treatment.

FOOTNOTES:

Further information may be found in a very full report on "Insects Affecting Domestic Animals," issued as Bulletin 5, new series, of the Bureau of Entomology of this department.

Further information on fly repellents may be found in Bulletin 131 of the Department of Agriculture.

For further information consult Farmers' Bulletin 1097.

For further information consult Circular 115 of the Bureau of Entomology.

For further information consult Farmers' Bulletin 857.

For further information see Farmers' Bulletin 909.

For a fuller discussion see Farmers' Bulletin 1017, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For a more complete discussion consult Farmers' Bulletin 1057, Bulletins 130 and 152 of the Bureau of Animal Industry, and Bulletins 15 (technical series), 72, and 106 of the Bureau of Entomology, all issued by the United States Department of Agriculture.

For further information consult Bureau of Animal Industry Circular 214.

MYCOTIC STOMATITIS OF CATTLE.

By JOHN R. MOHLER, V. M. D.,

Chief, Bureau of Animal Industry.

INTRODUCTION.

Numerous letters have been received by this bureau in recent years relative to the existence of a disease affecting the mouths and feet of cattle in certain Eastern and Central Western States. Later reports indicate that the malady has made its appearance in the Southwest, where it has caused much alarm among the stockmen owing to its similarity to the foot-and-mouth disease of Europe. The disease, which is to be discussed under the name of mycotic stomatitis, has been carefully investigated by this department on various occasions, and it is with the view of giving the results of these clinical investigations as well as to assert its noninfectiousness and to differentiate it from the virulent foot-and-mouth disease, which it so closely simulates, that this article is prepared.

NAME AND SYNONYMS.

The name stomatitis signifies that there is present in the affected animals an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth. This inflammation, which quickly develops into ulcers, is one of the principal and most frequently observed lesions. Mycotic stomatitis refers to that form of stomatitis which results from eating food containing irritant fungi. Thus the name not only suggests the cause of the disease, but also indicates the location of the earliest and most prominent symptoms. Other names which have been applied to this disease by different writers are sporadic aphthÊ; aphthous stomatitis; sore mouth of cattle; sore tongue; benign, simple, or noninfectious foot-and-mouth disease; mycotic aphthous stomatitis; and sporadic stomatitis aphthosa.

CHARACTER OF THE DISEASE.