The Winchester news. [volume] (Winchester, Ky.) 1908-19??, 1912-02-14
AGRICULTURE EXTENSION
Fatal Disease Caused by spoiled
Germ And Roushage.

caltleS III the STATE have been re-
ceived at the Experiment Station
The affected animals ut these differ
ent places present the same general
symptoms, with slight variation
which might be expected. The dis
ease appears only when horses and
mules are fed on grain or rouehage
which has become Overgrown with
mold, either i'll the pasture or the
barn. An outstanding feature III
every outbreak is that the affected
animals have had access to unwhole-
some feed either while at pasture OF
in the stable. The corn may appear
sound. but on close examination it is
found to be affected with mold.
Various heterogeneous have been
found to be associated with the dis
ease, but the toxins produced by the,
mold when introduced into the stOm-
ach Of the animal produce death. Sc
rious disease has long been known
TO result in animals from many feeds
rs unclean or damaged fodder, I'M
clean water, musty hay, nodded
corn, decOmposed potatoes, etc.
The so-called forage poisoning
imong horses, mules and cows is u
lon-cOmmumcable disease, which be-
longs to group Of crytogamic poi--
'oring and is produced only when feed
contaminated by molds is eaten.
Horses are more susceptible than
mules, though not invariably. The
disease is characterized by symp-
toms which are referable to Il dis
ulbance i'll the nervous system, the
mortality runs very high and but few
we'll developed eases recover. Suck
no fOals do not contract the disease.
IN the same outbreak the disease
nay manifest in one OF t,ree forms
acute, sub-acute and abOrtive-i
md is referred to under the term
crytogamic poisoning, forage poison
ng. enzoOtic cerebritis, episoOtic
cerebrc-spinal meningitis, leuco-cn-
.ophalitis, grass staggers, choking
distemper, blind staggers. putrid
sore throat. etc. The present sea
son is especially favorable to the
production of this disease, as dry
season, followed by rains, is favor
rble to the development Of vegetable
ooisons on the grass and fodder.
which consumed in large quantities,
result fatally. The acute type l.
characterized by the abruptness of
its appearance with grave general
disturbances. which Immediately
manifest themselves. The animal may
,uccumb in one night. There l.
sometimes violent trembling and
twisting of the muscles over the en-
ire body, producing irregular and
uncertain gait. Sometimes the an
imal walks in circle. The gait i
weak and unsteady. The pharynx
is either partially or completely
paralyzed. The tongue is paralyzed
and protrudes from the mouth, and
saliva falls in streams from the lips.
The pupil is dilated and as rule, the
is cOngested. The pulse
is variable and may be very rapid
and hard, or scarcely perceptiblc.
Respiration is hurried and jerky.
The temperature may be highly ele-
waited, which indicates resistance of
the animal to the disease. and be-
coming sub-normal it indicates APP
death. The sub-acute
Eases are slower in their develop
ment and the symptoms are not sol
violent, while in the abOrtive cases
here are on well marked cOnstitu-
ional symptoms, and improvement !
Usually takes place on the third or
'ourth day. 1
There Is no known means of artI-
icial protection and the disease will |
.ecur, if the animals are again allow
ID access to spoiled feed. 1t would
,e well. therefore, to investigate the |
condition Of the corn and roughage I
md to feed sparingly or not at all, y