The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-09-20
FORAGE POISONING OR So
CALLED CEREBRO-SPINAL
MENINGITIS OF HORSES
U. s. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

washington, ID. u, sept. IL, lSlG
The Cause of the Disease
During the last five months nu-
merous reports have been received
by the Bureau of Animal Industry
relative to the existence Of forage poi
soning in various sctlons of the
United States, particularly in Louis
lana, West Virginia, Kansas and Ne
lraska. 1t has usually occurred when
4 hot, dry period has been followed
by rains, or during wet seasons, es-
pecially those which are character
lied by frequent rains alternating
with hot sunshine, producing damp,
sultry atmosphere. Such conditions
ire most favorable to the production
of molds, and all outbreaks that have
been investigated by the bureau have
been traced to the eating of unsound
or moldy forage or feed, or to the
drinking OF water from wells or
pools containing surface water
drained through decomposed and
moldy vegetation. The disease has
been shown to be also due to eating
damaged ensilage. hay. corn. brew
ers grains, oats, etc. Horses and
mules at pasture may contract the
disease when the growth of grass Is
so profuse that it mats together and
the lower part dies and ferments or
becomes moldy. No specific organ
ism or virus has yet been found
which can be considered as the cause
of this disease.
How the Disease May BE Recognized
The so-called cerebro-sDinal men
nights of horses being an entirely
different disease from that which oc-
ours in man, the symptoms as we'll
as the cause are distinctly different.
In the most rapidly fatal attacks
death takes place in from 5 to Az
hours. Such cases begin with viO-
lent trembling or stupor and extreme
weakness, or with staggering gait,
partial or total inability to swallow,
impairment of eyesight, followed by
partial or complete paralysis, inabili-
ty TO stand, with marked delirium,
during which the animal lying fiat on
its side becomes violent and knocks
and bruises its head. In the second
form of the disease the same line OF
symptoms may be noticed in a milder
degree. Difficulty in swallowing,
3lowness in chewing the food and in
ability to switch the tail are OBJ
served. Breathing becomes heavy
md noisy, dellrium may develop with
stiffness of the spinal muscles or par
tial cramp of the neck and jaws.
Death occurs in from 6 to 10 days.
In the last or mildest form the lack
of voluntary control of the limbs be-
comes slightly marked, the power of
swallowing never entirely lost, and
The animal has no fever, pain or un-
conscious movements. In those cases
which get we'll the animal generally
begins to improve about the fourth
Jay and goes on to recovery. One at
tack does not protect against sec
Ond attack, as horses and mules have
been known to have the disease two
or three times.
How the Disease May be Prevented
and Treated
The first principle in the treat
ment of this disease consists In |
total change of feed and forage. |
Horses kept in the stable should be
fed with sound forage and grain from
an uncontaminated source, even II
such feed has to be brought from a
distance. Horses that have become
while at pasture should be
removed from the field in which they
have been running. The animals
should be brought to the barn or
corral and fed on wholesome and
clean feed and forage. The water,
unless from an unpOlluted source,
should likewise be changed.
At present this preventative treat
ment is the only satisfactory method
known for checking the disease, as
all medicinal remedies have been un-
satisfactory in the vast majority OF
cases. The first step is to empty the
bowels and remove the poisonous
products, but on account of the diff
Guilty in swallowing, an aloes ball or
Glauber's salts Is hard to give. In
fact, no remedy should be given by
the mouth II the throat is paralyzed,
as pneumonia is liable to result. FIT
teen grains of barium Chord inject
ed into the jugular vein. or
grains OF eserin under the skin, II
the animal is not too greatly de-
pressed, will usually act promptly.
disinfectants such as Gallo
mel. salicylic acid, and creolin are
also used. IL much weakness Is
monia, digitalis, alcohol, ether, or
Rectal injections of warm
water are good, and warm blankets
wrung out of hot water may also be
applied to the body. Subsequent
treatment should consist of 2-grain
doses of strichnin twice daily, or
of 2 drains tincture nux
Somica and one-half ounce Of Fowl
er's solution given at one dose, and
repeated three times daily, to combat
the effect of the poison upon the
system.