The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-10-07
Blind STAGGERS
AGAIN MAKES ITS APPEARANCE
IN THIS STATE.
DR.. Powers, State Veterinarian, Gives
Some Advice as to Curing Animals
Affected With the Disease.

Some Advice as to Curing Animals
Affected With the Disease.
The fatal disease Of horses COM
monty called "staggers" has again
made it appearance in this State,
cases being reported in Barnwell and
Hampton counties. No cases have
been reported in Greenville county.
This disease has appeared sporadi-
cally in South Carolina for many
years, but no serious outbreak oc-
Cured until the epidemic Of 1901
and 1902.
During the fall Of 1901 a few
cases were reported ia Lancaster
county. and in January 1902, It again
broke out in Orangebure county.
During the following six months
losses were reported In Anderson,
Ptckens, Oconee, S%partanburg, Chez
okee, Greenwood, Orangeburg, Barn
we'll and Berkeley counties. At that
time 1t was estimated that the losses
during this short period greatly ex-
ceeded $4,000.
After this severe outbreak, no
eases we're reported until 1906,
when the disease vas again reported
in Hampton, Marion, York, Pickens
and Oconee counties. Outbreaks Of
the disease were also reported In
Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey,
| Georgia, Louisiana and Kansas du-
ring the same seasons.
Leuco Eucephalitis Is the proper
name for this disease, although it is
also called Cebro Spinal Meningitis
In many localities. The exact cause
Is as yet unknown, despite the inves-
legations of many prominent scient-
lists. It has been attributed to micro
organisms, poisonous plants, impure
water, mouldy feed, etc. One inves-
| ttgator has produced these symp-
toms by feeding damaged grain con
tanning a fungus, the spores of which
| enter the circulation and set up
Inflammation and often ASSESSES of
the brain.
State Veterinarian Powers OF
Clemson, in talking Of the disease
said:
Mules are seldom attacked; in
fact, I have never seen n so af-
fectea although some cases have
been reported. In all cases inves-
tigated by me, I have found LESSONS
Of the brain. In many instances
there has been softening and de-
generation of large areas of the brain
tissues, while in others there has
been severe congestion of the blood
vessels and meninges Of the brain.
THE symptoms are similar I"
| those observed in nearly all othef
forms of so-called staggers, viz: dull
ness, delirium, in-co-ordination, ETC.
Death usually occurs within one or
two DAYS, and the few animals that
are of little value, owing u
the changes in the nervous system
Every effort should be made T.
check the spread of the disease
Upon its appearance. all other horses
should be removed from the stable
and the entire stable should be
thoroughly cleaned, disinfected arc
abandoned for two or three months
Complete change of water and fee6
IS of the utmost Importance, since
many authorities believe that dis
eased hay or grain or impure Wat"!
Is the cause of this disease. In pass
outbreaks we have noticeu mat nc
new cases developed after these pre-
cautions were observed.
Medical treatment ie most uh'
satisfactory, as animals die so sud
denly after the symptoms develop
Upon appearance of the first symp'
toms, severe purgatives should DC
Immediately given, l OF. OF Aloes
with 2 drains Ext. Of Belladonns
being very satisfactory for this pui
nose. The administration of drug:
Is often impossible, owing to Tile
delirum of the horse, but purgat1v .
can be given hypodermically. "hen
ever a competent Veterinarian car
he procured, he should be called I'M
m~edlately, as treatment Is very un'
satisfactory and practically useless
after the symptoms are we'll deVei'
oped.
IF the animal can be handled, the
following drench may prove OF some
value:
FoEler's Sol. Arsenic.
P%henacetin, 2 drains.