Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-01-31
THE HERALD.
PHILLIPSBURG. KANSAS.
Bnteritis in Cattle Caused by Eat
ing CornstalIk Fodder.
by DR.. G. S. GOing)

the late meeting Of the State Agrieul
5ural Society,"
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN
By request Of Hon. Martin MohleF,
Of the state board of agri-
culture for Kansas, I have prepared a /
of what, in my opinion, is
the cause Of the mortality among cat
tie, when turned out to feed in the
cOrnstaIk pasture That death is
caused by acute inflammation Of the
stomach and intestines is Of course
quite plain. I have made a number OF
post norton examinations on cattle
after they have died as above mention
ed after they have been allowed to feed
to repletion upon corn stalks, and the
symptoms presented are invariably
the same, viz: Extensive inflammation
of the alimentary canal. and coverings
of the brain. When cattle are first
turned into a corn stalk pasture they
feed voraciOusly, regardless Of the
disasterous consequences that so fire.
quently follow engagement with this
coarse, dry and almost indigestible
food. But as this disease Is not of a
contagious or infective nature, I am
not permitted at the expense of the
state to go and personally investigate
the symptoms, course and termina-
ton Of cases reported to me by farm
ers whose stock suffer. Therefore I
can only advise by letter giving treat
ment that I have found most success
full in cases both of this nature among
my own cattle and those I have been
called upon to treat in my capacity
as a private practitioner before I en-
tered the service of the state.
The character of the food and the
habits and condition of the animal
operate as direct cause of the disease
of the alimentary canal. Very rich
and concentrated food taken in undue
quantity, or even innutrItious sub
stances, such as over ripe straw or
hay, or corn stalks, which, beng CON-
posed almoft entirely of woody fibre
and silicon, will cause enteritis. The
effect is due more to the action OF
these substances as foreign bodies.
which are not subject to the digestive
action of the secrehOns of the mouth
stomach and bowels, than to want OF
other elements necessary to life, and
the perpetuation of health The de.
gestive function failing to perform It's
work. the contents of the stomach
and bowels become a cause of severe
inflammation in which natures recu.
perative powers too often prove IN.
equal to the emergency, especially il
this the case where cattle are nOt
thoroughly habituated to the use o.
unwhOlesOme food. I am fully con
vlnced that the whole cause of thu
trouble in the cases where cattle di,
after being turned out among corr
stalks to feed, is due to the indigesti
bility and the large quantity of foot
ingested.
My personal experince while in tn,
cattle business was that by allowin,
the cattle to remain only one hour
day IN the stalks until their stomach
become accustomed to the work re
quired Of them and allowing plent,
of pure water no cattle were lost. Al
ter being handled in this way abou
ten days I consider it safe to tur
them out permanently among tn
stalks.
When cattle are allowed to engorg
themselves with unmasticated an
only partly masticated food, especial
ly when 1t is of a course, cellulos
character, it becomes impacted in th
paunch (rumen, first stomach) or mar
lPly third stOmach) or both. TIL
animal is then unable to regurgiat
the contents for the second and fin,
masticatiOn, which is the cud-cbewin
process. As a consequence, this bod
of compressed material acting like
thorn in the flesh, creates an milan
nation, which, without timely an
proper medical treatment, results
fatal termination This infiammatio
upon the mucous membrane of Ii
stomach extends from contiguity
tissues to the muscular coats. an
then on to the intestines and final
to peritoneum setting up a portion
tas involving the entire contents
the abdominal cavity. This extel
sive and severe inflammation IS suffi
lent to involve by sympathy the mer