Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-02-23
Horse Sleeping
Sickness Meets
Medical Check
Senator C.. Elmer Johnson
Gets Diagnosis and Treat
ment From DIR. Cotton.

made to combat that dreadful dis
ease. In answer to large number
of requests from farmers in various
localities, Senator c. Elmer johnson
has procured statement from
Charles E. Cotton, w. M. D. 1t fol-
lows:
''The disease is caused by virus
of which there are two kinds; the
Western virus and Eastern virus. In
Minnesota and all states west of the
Appalachian Mountains only the
Western virus has been found. In
1887, 45,275 cases were reported in
Minnesota with 1920 de t his
(2235%); 1938-23,686 cases, 4,979
deaths (21.02%). Investigations
have disclosed that in addition to the
horse, man, guinea pig, rats, rabbit,
monkey, pigeon, cat, dog, goat, duck,
goose, hawk, ground squirrel, turkey
and guinea fowls are subject to the
Western virus"
The following is an extract from
a paper presented to the Minnesota
Horse Breeders Association by Charles
E. Cotton, V. D. D.:
1.-The history of outbreaks of sleep
ing sickness, particularly that of the
Western virus, when it appears in
territory is that it reappears in the
same territory the following season,
and extends to new territory and the
number of cases increase until the
outbreak reaches a peak, and the
number of cases decrease in the area
the following season. Investigators
to date have not determined how or
where or in what animals or fowls
the infection or the virus is harbored
from one season to the next. The
disease in Minnesota apparently
reached its peak in the summer of
1887. The number of cases mater
tally decreased in the outbreak in
1888, particularly in the sections of
the season of 1887.
Treating Progress Made.
"As a result of the knowledge we
now have of the method of spread
of the disease and the immunity that
can be obtained with the new chick
embryo tissue vaccine, we are bet
ter prepared than ever to prevent
the spread of the disease when it
appears in territory and to mater
tally reduce losses in the horses.
at is very necessary that horse
owners in this state where we know
the virus is located, take all pre-
cautions to protect the animals
against insects for period of six
months beginning the middle of May
or the first of June. This is very
important as method of protecting
the animals against the virus. Horses
and mules should be kept in screened
stables at night until after the APP
pearance of the first heavy frost.
While working they should be COW
cred with muslin fly nets and the
exposed parts should be sprayed two
or three times day with a good
fly repellent spray. The Bureau of
Animal Industry formula for home
made spray is effective. Illinois Ex-
detrimental Station reports good re-
suits in the use of preparation
developed by them to protect pas
tured animals from mosquitoes and
flies. 1t should be applied lightly
with a brush all over the body, brush
ing with the hair and not against it.
The application of this material once
a week is sufficient as a rule unless
the mosquitoes are very numerous,
when it should be applied twice
week. It should never be used on
work horses as it may produce irri-
tation of the skin. The formula for
this preparation is fish oil (cold
pressed fish oil best) 100 parts, oil
of tar (from pine trees) so parts,
crude carbolic acid one part
Preventive Treatment.
with our knowledge of the new
chick embryo tissue vaccine although
it is not one hundred percent effec-
tive, we have an effective preventive
treatment that will protect a horse
or mule for a period of six months,
if the vaccine is maintained under
refrigeration until used and is prop
erly administered. In Minnesota we
are not justified in recommending
that all horses in the state, or in
any particular territory in the state,
be vaccinated as a preventive this
coming season. 1t is an economic
problem and each horse owner should
consult his local veterinarian, taking
into consideration his location in the
state, and then decide for himself.
A number of the veterinarians state
they think they have had results
when the disease appears in a terri
tory, after they have given only one
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