The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-29
DISEASE NOT INFECTIOUS
Decaying Vegetable Matter is the
Prolific Source.
DRINKING WATER MAY BE- POLLUTED
Wherever There is Rotting or Mould, the Food
and Water Should be Carefully Look
ed After. Similar Trouble
in Kansas.

Speaking of the terrible mortality
among horses in Hyde and Onslow coun-
tics, and even in Edgecombe county to
a much slighter degree more recently, DR.:
TAFT Butter, the State Veterinarian, yes
terday said that it was, in his opinion,
principally question of care in the food
and water
Dr. Butler stated that there was no
doubt whatever in his mind that the dis
ease which has been and is now so prev
alent is caused by forage poisoning, such
as the presence of fungi or mould in
the food or water, and he added that
the best way to avoid the dread stag
gers" is TO look after the character and
quality of the food. 1t is not so much a
question of tho kind of fodder, as it is
che of it's condition.
Wherever there is decaying vegetable
matter, the food and water should be
carefully looked after.
There is no reasonable doubt. more
over. stated the doctor, that where wa
ter flows through decaying vegetable
matter it can carry the disease and be
just as deadly as the decayed fodder
itself This might account for the dis
tressing state of affairs in low counties
like Hyds and Onslow.
Asked if he thought the prevalent dis
ease YVES meningitis, Dr.. Butler said he
did not think it was genuine meningitis.
although it did resemble that complaint
In its symptoms and even in it's LESSONS,
and was even 3onfounded with it some
times in veterinary works on the sub
ject.
One thing which will be rather COM
forting TO those who do not already know
it is that the disease is not contagious,
or infectious. Or. Butler says there is no
evidence to justify the belief that one
horse can catch it from another. 1t
might, of course. become epidemic, or
more strictly, endemic. due to local con-
dltions: that is. the local conditions be-
ing alike over large tract. would af-
feet large numbers Of horses in that ter
ritory.
The doctor had several brains which
he had taken from horses having this
PECULIAR affection. In all cases. it was
only one side of the brain that was af-
fected, and in these diseased parts the
tissue had undergone great changes, be-
ing softened and of a greenish color, max
ing it look as if the brain itself had rot
ted
In connection with this matter, 1t is
OF interest to notice what the Veterinary
Department of Kansas said in bulletin
dated Pecember. 3tst. 1901, and entitled
'Cerebritis or 'Stagaers'. in Horses" Tho
opening paragraphs of the bulletin were as
follows:
Serious losses in this and adjoining
States are occurring at the present time
as a result of feeding wormy moudy
corn; either whei. it is fed as a gram
ration or when obtained by pasturing in
the stalk FIELDS. or when fed upon the
cut corn fodder.
THE disease is an Inflammation of
the brain or spinal cord and its coverings
(meninges). associated with a breaking
down of the nerve tissue of the brain.
1t is popularity called 'staggers, or mad
staggers because of the prominent
symptoms shown.
SYMPTOMS: The symptoms are those
Of brain disease. The animal appears
blind and only partially conscious; there
is often q tendency to turn in circle
10 the right or left and q staggering or
a straddling gait. There is usually Il
trembling Of the muscles. rs the disease
progresses the animal becomes delirious
and easily eXcitable. In many cases the
animal will stand with the head or breast
against a wall or manger and push. AMI
mails will often eat when badly affected,
apparently from force of habit, not be-
cause they are hungry"