Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-09-26

DIR. Harry A. Meisner, State Vet
erinarian, has prepared an article
upon the so-called cerebro- spinal
meningitis among livestock, which
will be Of great value to farmers and
stdckmen throughout the State.
He says:
History OF The Disease.
"Cerebro-spinal meningitis is also
known as putrid sore throat, cere-
bro-spinal fever, spasms Of the neck,
blind staggers and stomach stag
gers. II has also been spoken Of as
cerebro-spinal anemia, but this is o
misnomer, as the post-mortem les
ions reveal hyperemic and not an
anemic condition. The better term
would be misasmatic cerebro- myel-
tits.
"This disease was first observed
in America about the year 1850,
where it appeared in New York
with great virulence. In Germany
the first observations were made in
1865. In Denmark it has appeared
annually since 1852. In the year
1876 it existed in an epizootic state
in Egypt, and in Cairo and its sub
urbs it caused the death of 8, 200
horses, 700 mules and 200 donk keys.
"It is a miasmatic affection of
the horse, which is seen also in the
mule, OK, goat and'dog. Il is most
frequently seen in the horse and
sheep. Young animals, especially
lambs, wethers aud strong colts, are
predisposed to it; yet age grants no
immunity. 1t may occur sporadi-
cally. hut usually appears as an en-
zooty in q stable, city or farming
district, and may or may not be To-
but may spread over-an
extended area, along rivers, valleys
or mountains, entailing great loss
in its course.
"Among the predisposiDg causes
may be mentioned bad drainage,
low, swampy places frequently seen
in stables situated on the streets
which have no drainage. stables that
are badly lighted and ventilated.
The presence of water is also fac
tor in the causation, as we frequent
ly find this disease at the commence
ment of the vet months in autumn
or summer.
Vegetable fermentation is an
other of the pradisposing causes, as
spelling hay, scrapings of food
found on old barn floors, as fun
gus is found in the hayseed and
dust feeding decayed potatoes,
corn cookies Ia tall purpled flower
ed weed of the pink family which
grows in grain fields) either in feed
or in rye used for bedding, exces-
sive use of Indian corn, moldy or
musty hay or straw. drinking water
from impure or contaminated wells
or cisterns, brewers grains, decom-
posed ensilage, moldy fodder. spoil
ed grain, etc. 1t is frequently seen
in districts where typhoid fever is
prevalent in the human family.
"Yet in spite Of all the foregoing
as causing factors, it is frequently
seen in stables where conditions
from q sanitary standpoint are all
that could be expected, also where
horses are grszed upon pastures free
apparently from any deleterious
and whose drainage is per-
feet. 1t affects animals of ell ages,
sex and in all conditions. Moth
ing seems to lessen or preclude the
possibility of their becoming affect
ed; nor does one attack grant an
immunity, as they may become af-
fected again and die.
"The symptoms may be rapid in
their progress or slow in their de-
yelopment. One of the first symp-
toms to manifest itself is q general
of lassitude on the part
of the animal, q listlessness, fire.
ouentlY q perverted attention.
There may or may not be loss of
or thirst. Frequently the
animals stand with heads in corn
ers of the stall, as though afraid to
get away from it. In this condi-
tion if they be made to move back,
or tEeir heads be suddenly raised
high, they will often reel back,
stagger and fall.
"Again, they are seen to lean
against the side of the stall for sup
port. When caused to move they