The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1912-10-24
M0LDY FORAGE
PO|SONS HORSES

During the last FIVE months numerous
reports have been received by the
United States bureau Of animal indus
Try relative to the existence of forage
poisoning In various sections Of the
United States. particularly In Loufsi-
ana. West Virginia. Kansas and Ne
oraska- 1t has nearly always &C.
CURED when hot dry period has
been followed by rains or during wet
seasons, especially those which are
characterized by frequent rains alter
nat,ng with hot sunshine. producing u
damp. sultry atmosphere. Such condi-
lions are most favorable to the produc-
ton Of molds. and all outbreaks that
have been investigated by the bureau
nave been traced to the eating of I'M
sound or moldy forage feed or to the
drinking of water from wells or pools
containing surface water drained
through decomposed and moldy vegeta-
ton. This disease has been shown to
: be also due to eating damaged ensilage,
hay. corn. brewers grains. oats, etc.
Horses and mules at pasture may con.
tract the disease when the growth of
grass Ia so profuse that it mats to-
gether and the lower part dies and
ferments or becomes moldy. No specific
organism or virus has yet been found
which can be considered as the cause
Of this disease
The SO called cerebrospinal menin-
gus OF horses being an entirely diff
f0Rnnf (vNvv 10
In man. the symptoms as well as the
cause are distinctly different In the
most rapidly fatal attacks death takes
place In from Eve to forty-eight hours
such cases begin with violent trem-
bling or stupor and extreme weakness
or with staggering gait, partial or to-
tai inability to swallow. impairment
Of eyesight. followed by partial or COM
plete paralysis. inability to stand, with
marked delirium. during which the
animal lying nat on its side becomes
violent and knocks and bruises its
head. In the second form Of the dis
ease the same line Of symptoms may
be noticed in a milder degree DIM
Guilty In swallowing, slowness In chew
ing the food and inability to switch
the tail are observed. Breathing be-
comes heavy and noisy. and delirium
may develop with stiffness Of the spi-
nal muscles or partial cramp Of the
neck and jaws. Death occurs in from
ok to ten days.
The frst 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 I'M
contaminated source, even If such feed
has to be brought from a distance.
Horses that have become affected
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 for
age. The water. unless from an I'M
polluted source. should likewise be
changed.
At present this preventive treatment
Ii the only satisfactory method known
for checking the disease. as all medic
inal remedies used have been unsatis.
factory in the vast majority Of cases.
The first step is to empty the bowels
and remove the poisonous products.
but on account Of the difficulty in
swallowing an aloes ball or glauber's
salt is hard to give. In fact. no rem
edy should be given by the mouth II
the throat IL paralyzed. as pneumonia
Ii liable to result. Fifteen grains of
barium chloride injected into the jugu-
lar vein or two grains Of eserin under
the skin. If the animal is not too great
ly depressed. will usually act prompt
". Intestinal disinfectants such as
calomel. salicylic acid and creolin are
also used. II much weakness is shown
and the temperature is below normal
give aromatic spirits Of ammonia, dig
tails. alcohol. ether or camphor Rec
tai 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 two grain doses Of strychnine twice
daily or q mixture Of two drains tine
ture nux vomica and one-half ounce of
Fowlers solution given at one dose
bat the effect Of the poison upon the
nervous system. = United States De-
partment Of Agriculture.
Feeding Pigs For Profit.
The old method Of keeping q washy
meas made up of all manner and sorts
Of waste and rubbish in cistern big
enough to hold horse until the
whole cistern mass smells like a dou-
BILE distilled abomination Is practically
obsolete. Fresh. wholesome food is
what we must use. and we must take
little trouble in the preparation of II
also. says W. 81. Underwood in the
Rural New Yorker | find wheat, bar
10y meal and such like thoroughly
scalded an hour or two before being
fed make the feed go as far again and
increases its digestive properties. We'll
- l.