VETERINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 515 



Various theories regarding the cause of cornstalk disease have been suggested, 

 including impaction, insufficient salt and water, poisonous plants, corn smut, chinch 

 bugs, bacteria, saltpeter, and other substances which have been assumed to be pres- 

 ent in the cornstalks. The theory of impaction was found to be untenable, as was 

 also the theory that disease was caused by a lack of salt and water. An examination 

 of 434 reports concerning losses from this disease shows that the animals died in the 

 field under quite different conditions. 



The literature relating to the effect of corn smut on cattle is critically discussed, 

 and the conclusion is reached that this can not be considered as the cause of the 

 trouble in cattle. The Burrill disease of corn is also shown to have no connection 

 with cornstalk disease. The symptoms of cornstalk disease closely resemble those 

 of sorghum poisoning, and it is believed that some poison may yet be found in the 

 cornstalks to account for the disease. 



In the seasons of 1902 and 1903 the losses from the disease were not severe, but 

 losses occurred only where corn was somewhat checked in its growth. Detailed 

 reports are given of the conditions surrounding several outbreaks of the disease. It 

 occurs most frequently in yearlings and 2-year-olds. The disease appears suddenly 

 without premonitory symptoms and runs a course of from 24 to 36 hours. Post- 

 mortem examinations showed that the organs are usually in a normal condition. Xo 

 satisfactory treatment can be recommended. 



While moldy corn may have no injurious effects upon cattle, it is believed to cause 

 disease and death in horses. This fact has been proved by feeding experiments and 

 by other evidence obtained from natural outbreaks of the disease among horses. 



An examination was made of 23 samples of stomach contents from cattle which had 

 died of cornstalk disease. The presence of coniin, which is the active principle of 

 water hemlock, was demonstrated in 1 case, and appeared to be present in 2 others. 

 It was not considered, however, as being the cause of the disease. Tests were also 

 made for the presence of minerals which might be connected with the disease. 

 Various mineral elements were found, especially potassium in the form of potassium 

 chlorid. Potassium in some form or other was found in all of the 16 stomachs which 

 were examined for mineral salts. The amount of potassium found in the stomach, 

 however, was in no case sufficient to produce fatal results. 



Samples of cornstalks from various fields were analyzed, and potassium nitrate was 

 found in such material in all of the 14 samples examined. These analyses were made 

 in 1901. In 1902, however, an analysis of cornstalks received from fields where stock 

 had died failed to show more than mere traces. It was concluded, therefore, that the 

 disease was not due to vegetable alkaloids, and that the cause can not be determined 

 without further investigation. 



Report on an enzootic among cattle caused by a bacillus of the entiritidis 

 group, J. R. MoHLER and J. S. Buckley ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Animal IndKstry 

 Ept. 1902, pp. 297-S31, p)Js. 5). — A peculiar, highly infectious disease appeared among 

 cows on a dairy farm near Washington, D. C. A motile micro-organism was obtained 

 from the infected animals and cultivated on various nutrient media. The sanitary 

 conditions of the stable were satisfactory except for the fact that the manure was 

 allowed to accumulate in the basement to a great extent. 



The symptoms of the disease were excessive salivation, drooping of the ears, puru- 

 lent lachrymal discharges, occasional convulsions, and a temperature of 102.7 to 104.1°. 

 Affected animals died within from 48 hours to 5 days. Petechial hemorrhages were 

 found under the endocardium in all cases, the lungs were uniformly in a normal 

 condition, while hemorrhagic extravasations were found in the small intestines. In 

 1 case which ran a chronic course the liver shoM'ed punctiforra hemorrhages and 

 areas of necrosis. 



The Tjacillus isolated from these cases is aerobic or facultatively anaerolnc, does 

 not form spores, and is pathogenic for rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, pigeons, dogs, sheep, 



