No. G. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 159 



SPOROTRICHOSIS 



Sporoti'icliosis or what was formerly diagnosed as epizootic lym- 

 I-liaii^itis in horses is ol" rather rare occurrence at the present time. 

 Of four suspected speciuien.s sent to tlie laboratory for diaji,nosis dur- 

 ing the year tliree proved to be positive. No quarantines were placed 

 during the year on account of this disease. It has been learned thai 

 I he disease does not spread from animal to animal but from wound 

 infection in much the same way as actinomycosis is carried. The 

 disease responds readily to tlie prescribed form of treatment if begun 

 early in the course of the disease. If begun late there is but little 

 hope of a cure. 



FORAGE POISONING 



Forage poisoning, so-called cerebro spinal meningitis, or the Kan- 

 sas horse sickness, has occurred in isolated cases in various parts 

 of the State. The true cause jpf the disease is still a mystery. It is 

 supposed to be due to a mould or fungus growth that is most likely to 

 develop on forage. The tirst sj^mptom usually observed is an in- 

 ability to swalloAV. The animal appears thirsty and tries to drink 

 but cannot swallow. The patient becomes paralyzed in a few hours 

 and is unable to get up or stand if placed on its feet. Death is 

 pretty sure to follow in from one to three days. 



There is no specific cure for the disease. When it occurs in a 

 stable the well horses should be removed to another stable at once 

 and the food and water changed. In some cases it appears that it 

 may have been caused by drinking water that had a large amount 

 of decomposed organic matter in it. One should also avoid feeding 

 food during the heating i:)rocess or that which contains mold. En- 

 silage or cut corn stalks are especially dangerous for horses. Other 

 species of animals are seldom afflicted with this disease. Feed that 

 will cause the disease in horses may usually be fed to cattle with im- 

 punity. Owners and veterinarians are requested to report all cases 

 of this disease promptly to the Board and all assistance possible 

 will be cheerfully given. 



JOHNES DISEASE 



Bacterial dysentery, or Jolmes disease, is found in cattle occa- 

 sionally. It is most common in imported channel island cattle. It 

 is characterized by a persistent and uncontrollable diarrhoea. It 

 is a chronic disease. An animal may recover from a few attacks but 

 eventually it succumbs. The disease should be suspected where a 

 mature bovine animal develops a persistent diarrhoea and loses flesh 

 rapidly during the attack. It may recover after considerable ema- 

 ciation has occurred but each subsequent attack becomse worse. 

 The disease is not wide spread in the State but there is no cure for it 

 at the present time and when a positive diagnosis has been made it is 

 best to destroy the animal and disinfect tlie place occupied by her 

 before other cattle are allowed where she has been. 



The following table shows some of the other miscellaneous dis- 

 eases of animals investigated by the Board : 



11 



