The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-07
"sTleeERs" AGAIN APPEARED.
CASES REPORTED IN BARNWEI.L
AND HAMPTON COUNTIES.

it May he Best Dealt With-Eyery
Effort Should BE Made to Prevent
Its Spread.
"The fatal disease OF horses COM
monty called 'seaggers' has again
made Its appearance in this State,
cases having been reported In Barn
well and Hampton counties" says
State Veterinarian Powers.
The State veterinarian then con-
tinues:
This disease has appeared sporadi-
cally In South Carolina for many
years. but no serious outbreak occur
red until the epidemic Of 1s01-1sO2.
During the fall Of 1901 a few cases
were reported In Lancaster County,
and In January. 1905. 1t again broke
out in oranseburs County. During
the following six months losses were
reported in Anderson, Pickens, Oco-
nee. Spartanburg. Cherokee, Green
VILE, Orangeburg, Barnwell and Berk-
eley coupties. At that time it was
estimated that the losses during
this short period greatly exceeded
$4,000.
After this severe outbreak no cases
were reported until 1905. when the
disease was again reported in Hamp-
ton Marion. York. Pickens and Oco-
nee counties. Outbreaks Of the dis
ease were also reported in Virginia,
Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia and
Louisiana and Kansas.
Leuco encephalitis Is the prorer
name Of this disease. although 1t is
called cerebro spinal meningitis in
many localities. The exact cause is as
yet unknown, despite the investisa.
tions Of many prominent scientists. II
has been attributed to micro-orgsn n
isms. poisonous plants. impure water,
mouldy feed. etc. One investigator
has produced these symptoms by feed
ing damaged grain containing a fun
gus. the spores Of which enter the cir
culation and set up Inflammation and
often abscess Of the brain.
Mules are seldom attacked; In fact,
I have never seen one 90 affected, al
though some cases have been reported.
In all cases investigated by me have
found LESSONS Of the brain. In many
instances there has been softening
and degeneration Of large areas Of the
brain tissue while in others there has
been severe congestion Of the blood
vessels and msninges Of the brain.
The symptoms are similar to those
observed In nearly all other forms of
so-called staggcrs. viz: dulness. de-
lirium, inco-ordination, etc. Death
usually occurs within one or two days,
and the few animals that recover are
of little value. owing to the changes
In the nervous system.
Every effort should be made 20
check the spread Of the disease. up
on its appearance In all other horses
should be removed from the stable.
and the entire stable should be thor
oughly cleansed. disinfected. and
abandoned for two or three months
Complete change OF water and feed is
OF the utmost Importance. since many
authorities believe that diseased hay
or grain or impure water is the cause
OF this disease. In past outbreaks we
have noticed that no new cases de-
veloped after these precautions werc
observed.
Medicinal treatment is most un-
satisfactory. as animals die 80 sudden
ly after the symptoms develop. Upon
appearance Of the first symptom se-
we're purgatives should be Immediate
ly given. OF. Of aloes with 2 drains
ext. Of belladonna being very salts
factory for this purpose. The ad-
ministration Of drugs is often impos-
sible, owing to the delirium of tho
horse. but purgatives can be given
hypodermically. Whenever a compe-
tent veterinarian can be procured he
should be called Immediately, as
treatment Is very unsatisfactory and
practically useless after the symptoms
are well developed.
II the animal can be handled the
following drench may prove Of some
value:
Fowler's solution arsenic.
Phenacetin, q a 2 drains.
Strychnin sulph 1-2 grain.
Aquae. 4 OF.
sig: Give this drench three time g
daily. The bodies OF all affected AMI
mails should be opened and the organs
Especially the brain) carefully ex-