Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-09-20
FORAGE POISONING.
Cause and Prevention of So-Called
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis of
HorSes

During the last five months numer-
ous reports have been received by the
Bureau OF Animal Industry relative to
the existence OF forage poisoning in
various sections OF the United States,
particularly in Louisiana, West Vir-
ginia, Kansas and Nebraska. 1t has
usually occurred when hot. dry per
iod has been followed by rains, or
during wet seasons. especially those
which are characterized by frequent
rains alternating with hot sunshine,
producing damp sultry atmosphere
Such conditions are most favorable
to the production OF molds, and all
outbreaks that have been investigated
by the Bureau have been traced 10
the eating of unsound or moldy for
age or feed. or to the drinking OF wat
er from wells or pools containing sur
face water drained through decom-
posed and mold vegctation. The dis
case has been shown. to be also due
10 eating damaged ensilage. hay, corn,
brewers 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 or,
ganism or virus has yet been feund
which, can be considered as the cause
of this disease.
The so-called cerebro-spinal menin-
gifts OF horses being an entirely dit
ferent disease from that which occurs
in man. the symptoms as well "a the
cause are distinctly different. In the
most rapidly fatal attacks death takes
place in from 5 to 4S hours. SUCH
cases begin with violent trembling
or stupor and extreme weakness. or
with staggering gait. partial or total
inability to swallow, impairment OF
eyesight. followed by partial or COM
plete paralysis, inability to stand. with
marked delirium. during which the an
imal lying flat on its side becomes vio-
lent and knocks and bruises its head.
In the second form OF the disease the
same line of symptoms may be notic-
ed in milder degree. Difficulty in
swallowing. slowness in chewing the
food and inability to swith the tail
are observed. Breathing becomes
heavy and noisy. and delirium may
develop with stiffness OF the spinal
muscles or partial cramp OF the neck
lpthlh oNNui1 III li'ah
10 days. In the last or mildest form
the lack of voluntary control OF the
limbs becomes but slightly marked,
the power of swallowing never entire
lv lost. and the animal has no fever,
pain. or unconscious movements. In
those cases which get well the animal
generally begins to improve about the
fourth day and goes on to recovery
One attack does not protect against
a second attack. as horses and mules
haye been known to have the disease
two or three. times.
The first principle in the treatment
of this disease consists in a total
change OF feed and forage Horses
kept in the stable should be fed with
sound forage and grain from an un-
contaminated source, even il such
feed has to be brought from a dis
tance. Horses that have become at
fected while at pasture should be
removed from the field in which they
have been running. The animals
should be brought to. the barn or cor
raj and fed on wholesome and clean
feed and forage. The water, unless
from an unpolluted source, should
likewise be changed
At present this preventive treat,
ment is the only satisfactory method
known for checking the disease. as
all medicinal remedies used have been