The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1911-12-19
DISEASES OF HORSE
Wilson Daily Times.
Blind and Sleepy staggers Epidemic
in Parts of the Country.

Blind and Sleepy Staggers Epidemic
in Parts of the Country.
Dear Mr.. Editor:
In accordance with owners of some
horses that died last week, of soften
ing of the brain, a disease which is
some times called forege poisoning,
blind staggers and sleepy staggers, L
promised to write you an article about
the disease, after I had more fully
investigated the question and tell
about it briefly: l am taking this op-
portunity, to tell you and the sub
scribers of your paper about this di-
sease, so that if they choose to, they
may save themselves some losesI
l was called to see these cases and
it was evidence from the start that
the nervous system was badly derang-
ed, so much SO that l prognosted
death. I will call this disease t'orege
Poisoning or sofetening of the brain.
1t is very serious disease, most al
ways fatal unless treated very early
and even then often fatal
1t is caused by the horses eating
mouldy forege and and corn. Every
mould seen on feed will not cause
it, but there are many different kinds
of moulds some of them will produce
a poison and when taken into the in
testines of horses have a selective
action on the central nervous sys-
tenn.
The symptoms are not always the
same, for some cases are more vio-
lent than others, as a usual thing,
however, if the animal is at work
he is noticed to be a little more slug
gish, inclined to stumble a little, eats
less and frequently has some difficult
ty in drinking. Taken in this stage
it can often be cured. The condition
gets worse, shown by the animal not
eating, nor drinking, acts abnormal,
holds his head up and will not low
er it to come out of the stable, re-
fuses to be led a certain way, may
push his head against something,
when out of the stable will walk
around in circle, either to the right
or to the left, according to which side
of the brain is affected, still carry
ing the head up and does not like
to be bothered. AS the disease pro-
crosses the head is dropped more
and the animal becomes sluggish, he
may stand until he drope dead, or he
may droy to the ground, struggle a
long time before death and if gotten
up may stand until he loses his bal
ance again. The owner will soon no,
tice that his horse is getting crazy
so to speak, and he may call it ''blind
staggers. - These few words on the
symptoms should call an owners at
tention TO when his horse is acting
wrong.
The treatment of this disease, as
stated is unsatisfactory unless begun
IN time. Recoveries are not often seen
because treatment is delayed, caused
by the owner not being aware OF
the conditions developing. The best
| treatment is a preventative one. That
| is: avoid mouldy corn, very mouldy
| dusty forege. The mouldy corn can
be separated from the good, by shell
| ing it and putting the corn in tub
| of water, the good grains will sink
and the bad ones will float, which can
be skinned off. 1t is more difficult
to handle the mou1dy hay.
The duration of the disease varies
from few hours todays.
! The additional information gained
from my investigation is that, this
disease is very prevalent all over the
state this year, more so in the east
ern part and that it is breaking spor
Iadically. A few years ago it was very
prevalent and especially in Hyde
county.
| My advice to the farmer is to looE
after his feed in as much as few
cases have already occurred arounC
here. In writing this to you, Mr.. Edi
tor, I just want to put the people
on their guard. If any one wants tt
discuss the matter in person, | will
gladly do so with them at my lei
sure time and will show them tn
brains that came of the two recen
cases that died, thereby they can se'
how dreadful the workings of thes'
Ipoisons are. I will add, that this di
sease is more prevalent some years
i than others, some years we do no
have it at all.
/ I am respectfully yours,
L. J. HERRING, D. V. S.
| Wilson, N. c