The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-20
ROTTEN POTATOES.
Question as to Whether They Will
Kill Chickens Answered.

The State Board of Health is in re-
ceipt OF a letter from a resident Of
Burbank, asking whether or not it
would kill chickens to feed them on
rotten potatoes.
State Veterinarian c. H. Blemer has
answered the inquiry as follows:
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 9th
ult. to the State Board of Health has
been referred to this office, and in reply
thereto l beg to say that although L
have had no experience with the dis
ease you mention, veterinary publica-
lions contain a number of observations
on poisoning due to moldiness and
fungi of food which are ingested by
domestic animals
Under the names of intestinal
typhus, typhoid gastroenteritis, etc.
there have been mentioned in herbiyer-
GUS animals group of morbid condi-
tons which are really poisonings
Frauenholz described an epizootic of
this kind observed upon oxen fed OH
spoiled beets from a sugar factory;
Schleg the same in the COW, and Rey
in the horse following alimentation OF
fermented or spoiled potatoes and
RoSenkranz has observed a. similar
condition in poultry after the ingestion
of putrid meat
The different designations applied to
morbid conditions of this character re-
sembling one another can be combined
under the title of mycotic CASTRO
enteritis. All such conditions have the
same origin and pathology, and are pro-
duced by injurious matters. the action
n w ic fret fall
canal, and, secondly, upon the different
organic apparatus. The active principle
which they engender probably operates
through a double mechanism-frst,
through infection, or multiplication of
cro-organisms which they may con-
tain; secondly, through a septic or
putrid intoxication, in which certain
chemical compounds generated by mi
crobic activity constitute the principal
pathogenic factor.
1.-THE latter have received the names
of septines,' ptomaines,' and 'cadaveric
alkaloids.' Mycotic gastro-enteritis car
thus be defined: An intestinal affection,
accompanied by general disturbances,
produced through the evasion of path
ogenic micro-organisnS and through
the resorption of poisonous ptomaines
(f'reldberger & FrOhner)
Your postscript relative to a con-
troversy over the matter suggests to
me the possibility of another cause 9TH
er than the potatoes; consequently I
shall submit series of questions to be
answered by yourself and neighbors,
which may bring forth new develop
ments. Nevertheless. I have endeav-
ored throughout this communication to
show the inadvisability of feeding any
decomposed food.
"First-How many chickens were fed
on decomposed potatoes, and how many
died?
"Second-Have you lost any chickens
that were not fed on decomposed po-
tatoes?
''Third-How were chickens fed before
being given the potatoes?
"Fourth-How soon after being fed
potatoes did any of the chickens die?
Fifth-How long before the deaths
ceased?
'Sixth-What We're the general symp-
toms?
"Seventh-Did they receive any food
in addition to the potatoes?
'Eighth-Have you ever noticed the
same disease before?
''Ninth-Do you take any precautions
for preventing the disease? If so. what
are they. and what is your success?
''Tenth-Have you ever seen chicken
cholera?. Does this disease resemble
IL 2"