Hutchinson gazette., 1901-08-15
Average Grain per Hay per
Contnrlona Eye pissnnn.

Contagious Eye DiSeaae.
After four years OF observation or
the annual outbreaks Of this uisease
among the cattle of the country we
have come to the conclusion that the
disease Is associated with certain con-
ditions Of the atmosphere in special
localities, We think we have noticed
In each outbreak that the water had
become low, that the weather had been
hot and moist and that the cattle had
been allowed to stand and drink from
practically stagnant streams or ponds
OF water, The disease Is evidently due
to a specific germ and this germ, we
think, is to be found in the places
which we have specified. It has been
found In corroboration Of these state
ments that where cattle were at once
removed from low-lying places, such.
as pastures along small lakes or ponds,
sluggish creeks and rivers, and taken
TO higher lands and fresh pastures
that the disease tended to disappear at
once, There were no fresh cases after
these sanitary steps had been taken
and the cattle affected recovered soon
er than would otherwise have been the
case. These deductions from practice
should be borne in mind Just at pres
ent when the dry time Of summer and
fall Is approaching and owners of cat
tie will do well, where the disease has
been previously experienced, to pro-
vide an ample supply Of fresh drink
ing water not derived from ponds or
rivers, From what has been said It
will be seen that the disease is similar
In character to malaria, so that extern
sion of drainage operations through
out the country will have an effect in
lessening the number of eye disease
outbreaks similar to that experienced
With fever and ague or malaria OF man.
Should the first symptoms Of eye dis
case appear among the cattle the first
step, then, should be to place the af-
fected cattle by themselves in a lot
with shed attached All Of the cattle
not showing symptoms Of the disease
should at the same time be kept away
from the pastures in which the other
cattle Caught" the disease and should
have fresh water to drink AS a pre-
ventive their eyes should be we'll
washed with a saturated solution Of
boracic acid, which will effectually xii,
the germs Of the disease which may be
present, but not thus far effective in
producing the disease. The affected
cattle should be separated according to
the stage Of the disease affecting each.
II the attack is just commencing the
animal should have one pound dose
Of epson salts and one ounce each OF
ground ginger root and saltpeter shak-
en- up In two quarts Of warm water The
animal should then be tied In a shed
and its eyes be kept covered WIN a
soft cloth to be kept continuously wet
with per cent solution of one OF
the standard tar product sheep dips or
disinfectants advertised in this paper.
Half an ounce of saltpeter may be given
twice daily after the physic operates IL
the disease does not come to sud
den end. After the aggravated symp-
toms have subsidized and the eye has a
milky, Opaque appearance apply a so.
luton Of three grains Of nitrate of
silver in one ounce of distilled water
twice daily by means Of a soft, camels
hair brush or medicine dropper. In
most cases this treatment will save
the sight Of the eye and after a regular
system Of caring for the patients has
been arranged it will not be found
very difficult task to care for them. 1t
has been reported to us that In the
West farmers treat these cases in
very simple manner by merely filling
the eye with finely powdered salt and
claim that one or two applications is
sufficient. We have not had an OPP
portunity Of trying this treatment but
would consider 1t rather harsh, It is
mentioned here for what 1t Is worth
and readers of the paper might apply
1t to an experimental case should they
be unfortunate enough to have an out
break of the disease this summer. A
somewhat similar eye disease Is seen
in the South when animals are fed an
exclusive diet of cotton seed and cot
ton seed hulls. This disease Is to be
differentiated from the other by the
fact that the eyebal! is invariably sur
rounded by blood red circle when the
L.. 5,,n o., ookkox, saad irrito ofinn.