The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-16
THE COWS ARE NOT MAD.
A Disease Discovered Which Has cause"
the Loss of Many Animals.

the Loss of Many Animals
Since last summer number OF re-
ports have been sent In by correspondents
of this paper in the surrounding countles
of cattle dying with hydrophobia, and the
suppostion was that they had III each
case been bitten by mad dog.
This state Of affairs commenced In Au-
rust and from time TO time similar
rsports have come in identical in CHAR
acter. but indefinite in explanation. In
each case the animal would cease to eat,
and in the case of COWS would cease 10
give milk The next stage would be a
continual strainng about the back and
Joins and in few hours they would go
mad. foam at the mouth and act vi
ciously towards everything they could
come in reach.
The last stage would be paralysis OF
the hind quarters, and finally death in
from twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
The disease, for II has been shown that
IL is a strange and unaccountable disease,
was fatal i'm each case. Fortunately, 1t
is not contagious. Some of the dairymen
around the city were among those who
lost cows from this cause but for fear
Of the effect It might have on their bust
ness If made known they kept 1t quiet.
Intelligent experiment has conquered,
however. and the indications are that
Mr.. II. b. Chaffin has discovered a rem
edy. In the last three weeks he has lost
three fine COWS on his Chatsworth farm
with the symptoms described. In each
case he sought the assistance Of an intel
ligent veterinary surgeon, and made post
mortem examination, but without getting
any light on the cause of the death Of
the animals.
The stomach and vital organs seemed
to be in a normal condition, and judg-
ment was at fault. Last Monday Mr..
ChafIin was advised that the most val
liable COW on Chatsworth farm had been
attacked. He summoned a veterinary, and
he administered a dose of ether and chic
reform to relieve the pain. When the
animal had reached a point where death
seemed certain Mr.. Chaffin determined
on heroic treatment, which proved so
successful that the cow was in a few
hours entirely relieved
Mr.. Chaffin in diagnosing the disease
found that there was no fever or con-
gestion, and decided that the mad action
of the animal denoted brain trouble, and
on this hypothesis planned his campaign.
For the good of those who may have
cattle attacked, l obtained Mr.. Chains
treatment. 1t is as follows:
Calomel. 100 grains
Epson salts, ID pounds;
Common salt, 2 ounces
Follow Immediately with two table
spoonsful each of chloroform and ether,
mixed with a gill Of turpentine and
little molasses and water. Rub the spine
vigorously with a mixture, composed Of
turpentine. one gill; lard, one gill, and
some irritating liniment, one gill. Apply
and rub hard with corn cobs until heavy
friction is produced For its better ap-
plication, Mr.. Chafln recommends shaw
~
form. ether and turpentine after two
hours and again in six hours one hour
after these purgatives have acted well.
give 100 grains of quinine and then 50
grains every three hours for three times
This was Mr.. Chafiin's treatment and
A was a success. He admits that IL
seems unnecessarily severe. but as this
is the only animal saved when attacked,
he should use 1t again should others be-
come affected.
Mr.. Chaffin's diagnosis of the disease Is
that 1t is spinal meningitis He di-
vides the effects of the medicines as fol-
lows:
CalomCl and Purgative
Turpentine. Observation-Disclosures. Diuretic.
Rubbing spine. Counter irritation.
Qulnlne ........,...............S Stimulating.
MIR. Chaffin thinks the hydrophobia idea
Is explained In the madness shown by
the cases under his observation. The ami
mails become very dangerous and attack
anything living they can reach.
Colonel Whitehead. Commissioner OF
Agriculture, became so much interested
in this new and strange disease that on
Monday last he telegraphed for Dr. Miles,
the veterinary surgeon Of Blacksburg
College. but when ne arrived the animal
Yves recovering DR.. r. r. Triton, a
well-known veterinary Of this city, was
also present. He frankly admits that the
disease Is new one. and that he does
not know to what II is due. DR.. Miles was
also at fault as to IFS origin. but will
make a report to the Department OF Ag-
fculture.
All agree that the disease is not con-
taglous Quite a large number Of val
table animals have been .ost, however,
from this cause in the surrounding coun-
ties.