The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-27
.PREVENT ION THE CURE.
DR.. Buffers Report on Epid-
emic Among Horses.
Good Wholesome Food and Water. Interesting
Story Of His Recent Trip to Hyde
County.

The origin and extent of the epidemic
among horses in Hyde county is told in
the official report of the State Veteri-
marian. DR.. TAFT Butler, which was COM
pleted yesterday.
In his report DR.. Butler says:
During November and December the
disease known as "staggers" forage
poisoning) has again affected the horses
in certain portions of Hyde county and
quite large number of deaths have
occurred. 1 spent nearly two weeks in
the county, chiefly in the vicinity of
Fairfield, and had ample opportunity to
examine cases both before and after
death. The several post norton exam
nations revealed conclusive evidence
that this is no new disease, but is the
same as that seen in many other Sec
tibns of the country, and which is al
most universally regarded by veterina-
rians as the result of forage poisoning.
The post norton examinations thor
ouehly convinced the physicians and
others in whose presence they were
held that the disease is essentially one
of the brain. That organ in every case
examined showed a diseased condition
perfectly apparent to any observer and
amply sufficient to account for the death
of the animal, while anything like we'll
marked disease of any other organ was
entirely absent. 1t is probable that Hyde
county is seldom entirely free from
this disease, but the past wet season has
so damaged nearly all long forage and
great deal Of the corn, that the dis
atac
than ever before. Those who have given
most study to it's cause are almost a
unit in the opinion that the poison"
enters through the digestion tract and
therefore there seems but one source of
hope for its prevention, namely, sound
food and pure water. In my former re-
port, published in the September num-
Der of the Bulletin of this department.
gave sample of the evidence upon
which this conclusion is based. Those
who wish to investigate the question
fully will find in recent veterinary lit
erature much more of a like nature.
However, there seems to have been
some misinterpretation of my state
ments concerning the source of the
poison 1t is believed that any sort
of food may serve as the proper medi-
providing it is mouldy or decaying. A
horse may therefore, contract the dis
ease whether in the stable, or pasture
or in the stalk fields, or from drinking
water drained from surfaces covered
with decaying vegetable matter. The
only safe plan is to keep the horse in a
good stable. give nothing but sound
sweet, bright food and pure water.
safe in Hyde G Ny as elsewhere.
In years, VIII i. are now happily past,
the Gauss az such diseases were thought
TO emlnate from the soil and float in
the atmosphere. One by one the dis
eases which were years ago placed in
this class have been proved to be due to
specific causes, which, although in some
cases depending on atmospheric condi-
lions for their development, were en-
tirely independent of the atmosphere in
the mode of their Introduction into the
system The falacy of the 'atmos-
pheric theory in this disease is appar-
ent when we find the identical disease,
as Indicated by symptoms and post NOR
TEN appearance occurring during zero
weather, and when the ground is not only
frozen, but covered with snow, as the
lWTlLer saw last NluIeI III IAdHooo uui ms
the months of January and February
1t is indeed unfortunate that such an
erroneous idea should have found lodg-
ment in the minds of influential men in
Hyde county as it discourages the best
efforts of the stOckmen to provide
good food and water for their stock. We
have frequently been importuned for
cure. How utterly useless is all treat
ment in most cases will become appar-
ent to any one who may see brain from
q typical case of this disease, but in
mild case, which, unfortunately are
rare, treatment may avail something.
The promscuous bleeding and unmerci-
full drugging, which is being practised in
most cases at present can only result in
much more harm than intelligent treat
ment would effect good For instance,
the large doses of quinne and sweet
spirits of nitre-from 100 to 240 grains
of the former and four ounces of the
latter at one dose, can only be productive
of harm.
Prevention is the sole effective protec-
tion from the ravages of this disease,
but if treatment must he INDUCED in
the following seems rational. When
first noticed sick, give from six to eight
drains of aloes and one dram of calomel
as a purgative. Follow every four hours
with four drains bromide of potash and
one-half dram of fluid extract OF Bella
dona If a stimulant to the kidneys
seems desirable give two to four drains
Of nitrate of potash three times day.
In the latter stages tonics such as quin-
inc, in thirty grain doses and sulphate OF
iron in dram doses may be serviceable.
In the very first stages, if the animal
is fat and strong, moderate bleeding
may be of benefit, but later on in horses
in poor condition it is undoubtedly detri-
mental.
Owing to the wet season just passed,
which damaged almost all food it may be
very difficult if not impracticable, to
provide satisfactory food for the live
stock on many farms in the low sections
of the State, but the best efforts posi-
BILE in this direction will prove the most
effective means of preventing the dis
ease.
John B. Wright, OF Greensboro. N. c.,
has satisfied piano purchasers from the
mountains to the sea- Won't you join