Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-11-26
CEI,EBRO.sPINAL MENINGITIS.
state Veterinarian Gives Preventive
and Treatment for Animals.

| 1850, we have failed to find any rec
| ord of it's appearance in South Car
olina prior to 1901. Records Of
appeared in at least nine coun ties Of
the State and caused the loss of a
large number Of horses. Other out
breaks Of greater or less severity oc-
1912. No loss Of mules was report
ed during the outbreaks OF 1901 or
1900, and, although mules were lost
during the other outbreaks men,
toned, it would seem that they are
not as susceptible as horses.
Occurrence.
This disease, which usually occurs
after rainy summers. does not seem
to be confined to any particular To-
cality, as it has appeared in the up
per portions OF the State as well as
in the low country. We must admit,
however, that outbreaks arc more
frequent in the southern portion Of
the State than in the hilly Piedmont
section.
Cause.
Although many theories have been
advanced as to the cause Of this dis
ease, the specific cause is as yet un-
known. The cause has been at
tributed to almost everything from
unSanitary condition Of the sables to
sudden changes in the weather; but,
while these may be predisposing
causes, we know that they are not of
primary Importance as causative fac
tors.
No pathogenic microbe or virus
has ever been isolated as the causa-
tive agent. Furthermore, it Is no
ticed that the disease Is not COM
municable from animal to animal, as
it frequently happens that one horse
in team will be affected while the
mate, which has been kept under
identically the same conditions (eat-
ing from the same manger, occupy
ing the same stall, etc., remains
perfectly healthy. If this disease is
produced by micro-organisms pres
ent laboratory methods must be at
fault or the organism must be ultra
microscopic. Furthermore, the inoc-
ulation into susceptible animals Of
defibrinated and citrated blood as
we'll as brain emulsions from affected
animals fails to produce these symp-
toms.
Poisonous plants have also been
suggested as the possible cause. This
theory cannot be accepted, however,
as large number Of animals which
do not contract the disease are kept
under identically the same conditions
and receive the same food as the an
imals which are affected.
In every outbreak investigated we
have found that animals had been
eating damaged corn or fodder, and
there seems little doubt but that the
causativc agents are the molds that
grow on damaged food. A very seri-
Gus outbreak of this disease occur
red on Hilton Head Island during the
fall OF 1911. The severe storm that
swept the island that year matted
together the grass over the entire is
land. This consequently became
moldy. and, as there was no other
food for these animals, they we're
compelled to eat this fermcnted and
moldy food. AS a result ccrebro
spinal meningitis developed and
caused the death Of over one hundred
horses and mules. That this disease
is caused by damaged food seems be-
yOnd question. 1t is our eXperienc ce
that no further cases develop where
owners can be persuaded to give
complete change Of food, while in
instances where owners refuse to do
this further cases have developed
Symptoms and Course.
The symptoms usually eA Aribited
are dullncss and extreme muscular
weakness (shown by hanging Of the
head and general deprcssion.) There
is often paralysis Of the throat,
making swallowing difficult or i'm
possible and saliva drips from the
mouth. Paralysis is occasionally
present and the animals stagger and
fall or else stand with the legs
braced. or with body resting against
the side OF the stable. Twitching Of
- 10 nj M IN