534 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



As to the causative agent of this disease, opinions vary greatly as 

 do the post-mortem lesions and conditions in general in connection with 

 the different outbreaks, and while diligent search is being made by many 

 investigators, the theories advanced are as yet numerous. It seems, how- 

 ever, there is but slight divergence of opinion, and can be but little doubt, 

 that the disease has its origin in certain foods or drink, due to certain 

 toxic substances developing in food or drinking water under certain 

 favorable conditions. The conditions suggest a poison introduced from 

 without rather than an affection due to a germ propagated in the system. 

 The fact* that bacteria and cryptograms vary greatly under different 

 conditions of life, as do their elaborated products at different stages 

 of their growth, would tend to explain the absence and presence of 

 the disease under seemingly identical circumstances, as also the various 

 recognized forms of the disease. 



As regards treatment, preventive measures should receive first con- 

 sideration and especially where the disease appears in an anzootic form. 

 A complete change of food and water is imperative even though the 

 suggestion of mustiness or fermentation is slight, since the ferments and 

 their products may be present in a dried condition. All animals should, 

 at least temporarily, be removed to clean, airy quarters, and returned to 

 original buildings only after same had been thoroughly cleansed, disin- 

 fected and allowed to become dry. In the absence of definite knowledge 

 as to the germ or toxin of this disease, it would seem best to place ani- 

 mals and premises under quarantine. 



Medical treatment, owing to the great variation in the different out- 

 breaks, would be largely symptomatic in character. In general, however, 

 we would employ agents tending to lessen the vascular pressure within 

 the cranium and neural canal, and causing elimination of toxic material 

 by the way of the bowels, skin and kidneys. 



During the latter part of November, 1909, the writer was requested 

 by Dr. P. 0. Koto to investigate as to an outbreak of this disease in 

 Dickinson county. A lot of young horses, numbering nine or ten, had, 

 up to within a week or so of this time, been apparently thrifty, had 

 the run of a pasture with an adjoining barn to which they had free 

 access, and in which they were fed abundant quantities of hay nights 

 and mornings, together with a liberal supply of water from a deep 

 well. The animal first affected, a two year old colt, was noticed by 

 owner to be slow in his movements and. have a somewhat unsteady gait, 

 these symptoms becoming more pronounced from time to time for about 

 two days. At the end of the second day, from time first noticed, the 

 colt was found in the recumbent position unable to arise. No amount 

 of help would cause it to regain its standing posture. Appetite appeared 

 fair but mastication and deglutition were badly affected. The animal 

 lay flat on the barn floor, unable to lift its head, and after struggling, 

 by moving its limbs violently, for five or six hours, died. 



Within ten days three more had died in a very similar manner. A 

 week or so following this, or at the time of the visit, a careful examina- 

 tion was made and the remaining colts, with the exception of one, ap- 



