16 SILOS: CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE 



associated with slobbering and dropping partially chewed 

 cuds of food into the manger and feed box, are early signs of 

 the disease. These are followed by increasing paralysis, 

 especially of the limbs, weakness, and often indications of 

 delirium. In fatal cases death follows in from several days 

 to a couple of weeks. A few of the less severe cases may 

 recover. 



"The length of time between the feeding and the appear- 

 ance of the symptoms, the suddenness of the attack and its 

 duration, depend upon the amount of poisonous food taken. 

 The course is shorter, from 2 to 4 days, the attack is more 

 sudden and death soon follows in from 12 to 36 hours 

 when large quantities are consumed. 



"Prevention. Since horses and mules are very liable to 

 poisoning with moldy foods where cattle may eat the same 

 foods with little or no danger, the method of preventing the 

 disease is clear. Under no circumstances feed horses or mules 

 ensilage that is in the least molded or decayed. In feeding 

 ensilage to cattle do not put it or scatter it where horses or 

 mules can get to it, for they will sometimes eat the leavings 

 in the feed trough after the cattle have picked out the best 

 food. Do not throw waste ensilage where horses or mules 

 can reach it. Sweet ensilage is a wholesome food for horses 

 and of known nutritive value, but unless it is certain that it 

 is perfectly fresh and free from mold it should not be fed to 

 horses at all. Moldy silage has already caused such heavy 

 losses on some farms that it will take all the profits a silo can 

 bring to make good the cost. 



"The hay, corn, oats and other grains fed to horses should 

 always be of the best quality and the water troughs should 

 be kept clean and the water pure and fresh. With all these 

 precautions, forage poisoning can be eliminated." 



