389 



experiment witli n 2-year old colt iiuliented that the disease war; 

 caused from eating com affected with a mold— As2)en/ ill us glaucus. 

 The appearance of ears of corn attacked by this mold is illustrated 

 in the plate accompanying the article. Experiments by Kaufmann. 

 and others in France and Germany, in which the death of rabbits was 

 caused by inoculation with the spores of this mold, are briefly described. 

 The author inoculated a guinea pig with spores of the same mold, with 

 fatal results. Other outbreaks of what may have been this same dis- 

 ease in horses are described by references to the publications of this 

 Department. The following summary is taken from the bulletin : 



The disease variously known as •'• staggers," ''mad staggers," etc., as occniring in 

 Kansas during tlie past fall and winter, is caused by feeding corn whicli has been 

 attacked by a mold— Asjjrrgi litis {/laitcus. The spores of this mold gain entrance 

 to the circulation and find lodgment in tlie kidneys and liver. The liver is 

 more affected than the kidneys (probably on account of the lower pressure of the 

 circulation). The spores germinate here, and cause inflammation of these organs. 

 The cerebral symptoms are the result of the formation of an abscess in the cerebrum. 

 This abscess is caused by an interference with the blood supply, probably from spores 

 or raycelia of the mold in the circulation. Tlie spores of AfipcrylUuH fjlaucus seemed 

 to retain their infectious properties for about 6 months, from October, 1890, to 

 March, 1891. Neither mules, cattle, nor pigs contract the disease. 



Treatment. — In this disease an ounce of prevention is worth many j)ounds of cure. 

 The method of prevention is obvious : Do not feed moldy corn or turn horses into 

 fields where moldy corn can be had. In feeding ear corn from the crib care should 

 be exercised to pick out the moldy ears or break off the moldy tip. • In case the 

 corn has been shelled, it can be poured into water, and the moldy kernels, floating, 

 can be skimmed off. 



After an animnl has been taken sick treatment is very unsatisfactory. The ani- 

 mal should be kept as quiet as possible, in a clean, dry, well-veutilated, and strong 

 box stall. A purgative may be given of about 7 drams of aloes. One dram of 

 iodide of potasli or 3 drams of bromide of potash can be given in sufficient water 

 every 3 hours, and cold applications to the poll by means of wet cloths are help- 

 ful. In case the spinal cord is affected a moderate blister can be applied alon^- 

 the spine. Care should be taken to excite the animal as little as possible and to 

 avoid choking it in giving medicines, as it is often difficult for the animal to 

 swallow. ' . 



Louisiana Stations, Bulletin No. 11 (Second Series), (pp. 34). 



Report of the sugaehouse and laboratory of the Sugar 

 Experiment Station for 1890, W. C. Stubbs, Ph.D. (pp. 248-278). — 

 Descriptions are given of the sugarhouse at Audubon Park, New 

 Orleans, and its equipment ; and especially of the diffusion battery and the 

 process of making sugar by diifusion. The results of twelve runs with 

 the diffusion battery, from November 11 to December 8, inclusive, are 

 tabulated. The percentage of extraction in sugar in the cane ranged 

 from 93.58 to 98. Tabulated data are also given for the results obtained 

 with different methods of clarification, (1) lime alone; (2) lime and 

 bisulphite of lime; (3) lime and acid phosphate of calcium; (4) lime 

 and sulphur; (5) Wilcox's albumen process; (6) lime, sulphur, and acid 

 phosphate of calcium; (7) sulphide of alumina j (8) superphosi)hate of 

 alumina. 



13748— No. 6 3 



