The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1913-09-26
CORN STALK DISEASE
IN SOUTHERN STATES
AMONG The CATTLE
APPEARS WHERE STALKS ARE
LEFT AND FIELDS ARE
PAsTURED.
CAUSE IS YET UNDETERMINED
Probably lntoxcation Caused by
Chemicals in the Stalks, Appearing
From Fourth to Eighth Day After
Turning Stock on the Fiieds.

(By G. r. White, State Veterinarian.
A fatal cattle didsease, the cause
of which has long been attributed to
corn stalks, has appeared most ev-
cry October and November for q
half century throughout the Southern
States, and particularly the Missis-
sippi Valley. 1t appears that this
disease is confined to that area of
the United States where the corn Is
allowed to mature in the field and is
then harvested by picking the ears
from the standing stalk, leaving the
tsalk in the field.
The definite cause of this disease
Is yet undetermined. However, the
best authorities claim that the corn
stalk itself carries the deleterious
agent. 1t Is known that 1t requires
the ingestion Of large amounts Of
corn stalks to produce death in cat
tie under ordinary climatic and field
conditions.
Corn stalk disease is probably an
intoxication caused by chemicals
contained in the stalk itself, or corn
ergot, smut" may play some part
in its causation The disease is
very insidious, frequently 3causing
the death Of animals before it's PIE
sence is even suspected. Cattle that
have appeared In perfect health to-
day may be dead tomorrow. ~
/ It appears that from the 9Th to Sth
day after turning cattle in corn stalk
fields is he most dangerous period.
lat least most cases Of corn stalk dis
ease will develop during that time
SYMPTOMS!-It should be borne
in mind that the insidious nature
and rapid course Of development Of
this disease usually results in the
death Of the animal before the pre-.
sence Of the disease itself is detect
ed, At first there is sluggishness.
loss Of appetite, great thirst. tremb-
ling and chcilly sensations and in
coordination of movement. Later
we observe inability to fise from
partial or complete paralysis, head
resting on the ground and and fully
extended, constant movement of
head from side to side, dilated pu-
pills, accompanied by. a, constant
movement (dancing) Of. the, eyeball
Most cases froth at the mouth and
groan and grunt, signifying great
distress. Distensfon Of abdomen
with gas (b1oat) is a frequent sc.
quelae Of this disease, especially is
"bloat" observed in most cases after
they have been In recumbent posi-.
| ton for several hours.
J. TREATMENT:--It is Ear more
satisfactory to prevent corn stalk
disease than 1t is to cure the acutla
sick animals. 1t should be remem
bered that pasturing in stalk fields is
always attended with certain
amount Of danger to cattle, hence
, when animals are allowed access to
pastures of this character they
should be watched colsely for the
first symptoms Of sickness II the
disease develops, then give one pound
EPSON Salts, dissolved in quart
warm water, to which add 2 ounces
Aromatic Spirits Ammonia. After
an interval Of one hour give castor
oil, pint. It is well to continue the
administration of Aromatic Spirit.
Ammonia in 2-ounce doses at 2-boul
intervals for at least twelve hours.