37^ SWINE IX AMKRICA 



COTTOXSEED MEAL 



Cottonseed meal fed direetly to swine seems to cause 

 fatal results in the large majority of cases, proving its 

 use in that way unsafe, although it is a rich, concen- 

 trated food, adaptable over a wide range of territory. 

 On this account it has been the subject of many experi- 

 ments, with a view to establishing its desirability for 

 swine, none of which, however, has so far secured re- 

 sults which would justify its general use. From some 

 cause which chemists have been unable so far to deter- 

 mine, it has the effect of poison. This is cumulative ; it 

 is not apparent at first, but according to the recorded ex- 

 periments, may be fatal at any time from three to ten 

 weeks after its use has begun. The vital organs appear 

 affected, l)ut the digestive organs sometimes fail to reveal 

 anything- abnormal. The mortality is more or less de- 

 pendent upon the quantity of the feed given, but usually 

 more than half the pigs tested have died. Generally the 

 fatal attack is sudden ; a pig which seems in excellent 

 health may be dead in less than 12 hours, and death is 

 seldom delayed more than 48 hours at the longest after 

 the first symptoms of poisoning are observed. In some 

 cases no signs of disease are apparent ; in others, there 

 are indications similar to "thumps," with failing appe- 

 tite, rapid breathing, and, as final symptoms, frothing at 

 the nose and mouth. 



Experiments have been made in feeding cottonseed 

 direct, and cottonseed meal roasted, rotted, steamed, fer- 

 mented, or otherwise prepared, but without satisfaction. 

 The mea-l is more dangerous than the seed, and it has 

 l)een established that the toxic agent is in the kernel or 



