The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-04
CURE FOR BLIND STiGGERS.
hethods To Control Disease Which is
Causing Death of Thousands of
Horses.


sands in Texas, Iowa. Kansas and Ne
braska from a disease affecting the
nervous system. popularity known as
oiind staggers or forage poisoning.
Inc department. OF agriculture has
received urgent requests for help
against this disease from 16 different
states, and as o result it is now pub
fishing bulletin containing definite
instructions for combating this dis
ease
The States that appealed TO the de-
partmcnt of agriculture for assistance
include the following:
Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky. Lou
isiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska,
New Jersey. North Carolina, Oregon,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Virgin
in. w. Virginia.
This shows the universality OF the
disease. Kansas and Nebraska bore
The brunt OF the Gii!ictiCn during the
past year but other States have also
suffered seriously. Kansas has had
moro than her share. Severe out
freaks extended over almost the entire
state in 1891 and since that date have
REQUIRED with equal severity on two
occasions in various portions of the
state.
The bulletin takes notice Of the
oil Il
doubtedly been due to the use of fake
cures" sold by unscrupulous per-
sons. IL is reported that in Nebraska
'blacklcg vaccine" was used on at
least 1900 unaffected horses, nearly
1900 OF which arc said TO have died
- n direct result.
Investigators have practically os-
tabiished that this horse disease can
be controlled effectively only by a to-
tai change OF feed ana. forage. 1t is
lutte obvious that there is direct
connection between the green forage,
exposed pasturagc and newly-cut hay
CT fodder which the horses eat, and
this CcreSrO-spinal Meningitis. as
the disease Is known TO scientists. In
tact, eating OF such forage when con-
taminated is undoubtedly the most
important cause. over 95 per cent OF
case of this disease in Kansas and
Nebraska during the outbreak of 1912
were maintained under such condi-
tiOns.
Greet care must be taken that
horses do not obtain the dangerous
forage unknown to their owners. The
owner of one farm informed the de-
pavtmcnt'S investigator that his dead
horses had eaten nothing but Old hay
and grain.
"BCt what about the closcly-cropped
grasses in this pasture?" remarked the
investigator, noticing the adjacent
field.
oh" answered the farmer !nno-
Gently, II always turn the work
horses into pasture over night"
Many horses have died from blind
staggers caused by eating moldy baled
nay. rs soon as tho hay was elm
mated the disease ceased. Other
horses in the vicinity not fed upon
this hay failed to contract this dis
ease. Later some OF the moldy bales
were opened and exposed to the sun
for three or four weeks. After this
the hay was fed to horses without
producing amy Ill effect. Forage pois-
oning. therefore. seems not 20 be an
affection but rather what is called
dUto-intoXicat!on"- is. it is due
Co certain chemical poisons or toxins
formed by tho activity of internal or
s1nisns. These poiSons may DO pros
cut Then the forage is taken iato the
body or may be formed in the stom-
ach. me nature oil this poison is stln
unknown.
Characteristic Symptoms OF this Dis
case.
When the horse is taken with the
blind stasscrs it usually exhibits Il
disturbance Cf the appetite, dcpres-
sion ana weakness, while there Is
trouble In SWALLOWING. dropping OF the
head and slcepncss which may give
way To excitement and attacks OF diz-
zlncs5. The vision is impaired, which
results in the staggering gait that
gives the disease its popular name.
Certain muscles OF the neck and i!anks
Gre craTpcd and there Is Il grinding
oil the teeth. sometimes the animal
u5s pains as though it was afflicted
With collie. Tho animal will walk
strangely IL in an open space
and Will ty t. push through any
obstacle 81 encounters. IN the
sable hc Will press his head against
t,.o stall or rest 1t ON the manser.
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