The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-01-23
THE NEW HORSE DISEASE.


/
| OF this article. Why it is so designated we
cannot account for. since we nave every
reason to believe that the disease, as it
exists at the present, has existed in diff
ferent parts of the state at different
times. Farmers and stockmen tell us of
! losing horses and cattle in the stalk-felds
since the first settlement of the state, and
from our professional experience, we
know that it has existed the four years
we have been in the state. In the fall of
1888 and winter of 1888 and 80 the dis
ease seemed to be most virulent and ex-
southwestern counties Its victims
could be counted by the
score in nearly any township that is
well inhabited, one three, five, and
often more dying on one farm,
or IN one stable in a town or
city. Now it seems to be rag
ing in the northern and eastern part of
the state. The disase is easily diagnosed.
We first notice a little nervousness OF
the horse when first approached. If III
a stall, by walking behind him, he may
rush up against the manger and snort,
but IN a moment later be perfectly calm
again. Later we may notice he holds
his head little 10 one side or his ears
may be seen standing in peculiar posi-
ton; later on we may see him more eX-
cited or of a semi-sleepy appearance;
later we find him pressing his head IN
corner or wandering about along the side
of the stall not noticing nails or splinterS
that may be cutting his body or head as
he blunders against them. Now he be-
gins to be IN greater pain and he has an
inclination to rear or climb and strike or
stand braced pushing against any object
that may withstand his power.
IL his nose be pressed in some corner he
may fall from sutfocation by the closure
of the nOstrilS. If he is able TO regain
his feet again the same is repeated until
the brain IS so badly diseased that he
cannot keep his equilibrium; he then
falls and fights the air with his feet,
bruising his head and body with the
violent strokes of his feet until death
relieves him of his suffering. The one
that seemed half sleepy gels more
drowsy in appearance and is soon seen
leaning against the stall, and later on
we find him stretched on the floor I'M
conscious of all his surroundings, and
death soon claims him. The boating
we sometimes have in these cases is a
matter The animal generally
eats hearty up to few hours of death:
on account of the great narvous excite
ment, digestion is arrested and the food
recently taken into the stomach begins
to ferment in consequence of the heat
and moisture.
There are other complications that
might be spoken of but these symptoms
are merely to give an idea to the public
what the disease is.
The disease has been enormously called
by some stomach staggers." By others
apizootic ro-Spinal-menengltis by its !
by others ergot Is supposed !
% be the cause, etc, ect.
Farmers in this state often write to |
editors of the veterinary department of
stock journal. or agricultural paper that /
S printed in some of the states east of !
he Missouri river The farmer describes |
he disease as well as he can and in reply |
,ften gets about this answer: 1t is an |
affection of the brain caused from en- /
of the stomach. They cannot {
,e blamed for such diagnosis, from the /
given. They very likely have /
never seen the peculiar disease in ques- /
ion, and more. there has never to the |
present time been much investigation as
o its real cause, even though it has ex-
sted for years.
Some of the profession that have bad
0 do with the disease ascribe the cause
o the worm dust on the corn. others To
lie smut on the corn, others TO the rotten
orn, nearly all agreeing that it
fleets the brain, especially those who
AVE taken the pains to hold many post
and that it has its origin III the
orn it some way. They have found
nat a sure presentation, if III stock
eld, is to remove stock from that tie d.
{ fed on fodder withhold that feed. if
ed on corn change to any other grain or
hell and float the corn in water to re-
move all damaged or light kernels, and
efuse of all kinds.
This is proof enough Of the cause being
n the corn in some way. An occasional
ase might be traced to feeding sorghum.
Now the questions arise in every think
ng mind, what is the poisonous princi-
lie. and why should it so effect the
rain and cause death usually by in
or absceSs of that organY
Shall we be satisfied to know that it is
4 the corn, or to be little more precise
D know that it is damaged corn, or
hould we as scientific men investigate
ne matter until we have found the
articular germ that exists on the corn
nd on the leaves and when taken into
he digestive canal, follow it as it enters
ne circulation, watch its destructive
recess in that fluid, watch its inter
arence with the circulation of that
nee life sustaining fluid. Now take
this diseased blood and
lOculate another animal and after "A
inc discover the same germs in his
loOd. Until il is studied in this way
-e Will have 10 say New disease with
ut much of an idea of what we mean
One investigator has satisfied himself
hat this can be done in a disease IN cat
e very similar in symptoms and arising
nder the same conditions as 10 feed.
md we believe that if he has the germ
'olated IN the one case, the same germ
I'LL be found in the disease IN question.
Notwithstanding the prevalence of
lumber Of contagious and infectious dis
asses that are and have been IN our midst
nth this new disease of horses and cat
e. all recurring at the present time.
luch research by the best in our profes-
0r we find our Legislators introducing
Ills to discard the office Of state veteriu-
rian or blending II with the professor
hip of our State Agricultural college.
imagine one man teaching SIX classes
lccessfullv. spending three or four
ours every day in the laboratory with (
pecimens sent 10 him for mlsCrOscOpical 1
and ztulVinQ the Cal1-3-
on and prevention and cure OF
OK cholera. Texas cattle fever. /
lsck-leS and the new disease All !
Dgether costing the farmers Of Kansas
lIliions Of dollars from their rsvages.
hen acting outside Of college work, an ,
xer POO communications a month re-