Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-05
The So-CaHed Fat Sickness IN Steers

Every once in awhile the writer re-
ceIves n letter from some farmer plan
tatiOn owner or ranchman who seems TO
b. under the impression that something
H., is feeding his steers is causing sick
ness. a general characteristic seems 10
ts Inflammation OF the eyes, sometimes
amounting 70 a total loss OF sight. This
trouble seems TO be much more preva.ent
in some sections than in others The
subnormal condition is called by many
feeders fiat sickness" and is most IRE
auently witnessed in the case OF thrifty
cattle. No matter what the ration may
oe there seem 10 be some cattle owners
who have the opinion that II they are
usin- cotton seed meal and hulls. the
trouble referred 10 Is chargeable TO
these materials OF course, If these feeds
are not in proper condition. IL would not
be difficult 10 understand how this might
possibly be true, but IL the feeds are as
they should be-clean. wholesome and
free from moulds. il is difficult TO I'M
derstand why the trouble should be
caused from their use more than otner
feeds which might be fed In this con-
uection II Is always wise and neces-
tsary 10 point out. however, that cotton
seed meal Of itself Is a very concen-
trated foodstuff and il IS frequently fed
without a proper degree OF discretion and
consideration. Under normal conditions
the writer knows il TO have been fed
for long periods OF time with an eminent
decree of satisfaction and without pro-
ducin. The least disturbance Of the d.
gestive system or causing sickness or
any character
To test out this question OF so-called
fat sickness as influenced by a ration
OF cotton seed meal and hulls. work was
instituted with a considerable number
OF steers at the Texas experiment sta
tion a number Of years ago. In these
tests the steers were fed sound, dry cot
ton seed meal and hulls for period OF
$50 days. The experiment continued
into the warm weather No sickness re-
suited. which leads. therefore. 10 the
conclusion that trouble OF the character
reported from time TO time by stock
men is due to some error of judgment
in feeding or 10 the use OF feeds which
are not OF the best quality. Where cat
tie are turned out in the open and large
quantities of concentrated foodstuns
thrown into the troughs. the chances are
that some OF the animals being stronger
than the others will overeat. This or
necessity may produce indigestion and
when trouble Of this character becomes
chronic. Il IS possible that death might
sometimes occur. 1t will also happen
undoubtedly from time to time that the
feeding troughs will become contami-
mated, and that II the refuse from a
number OF days feeding is left there
and becomes saturated with water as the
result OF heavy rains. IL may sour or
ferment with the result that the ami
mails consuming II may be thrown or
feed These are conditions which can
easily be remedied by the building OF
shelters over the feed troughs and by
removing any refuse left from day to
day. and in no case where careless and
Indifferent management OF the character
portrayed IS practiced should the sick
ness resulting be attributed to anything
save the carelessness OF the owner.
In the tests under discussion a num-
Der OF other questions OF an important
nature were asked Of the cattle on ex-
pertinent For nuisance. II is a mat
ter OF general concern as to the best
proportions in which meal and hulls
should be combined for the feeding OF
beef cattle. In most instances this
would appear TO be one pound of meal
10 five or six OF bulls. Larger daily
gains in weight will probably be Sc
cured from feeding meal and hulls in
the proportion OF one 10 three. but the