I 



CEKEBROSPINAL MENINGITIS (" FORAGE POISONING"). 13 



logical action. Therefore, with all the pre\dously mentioned facts 

 before us, it is evident that the first principle m the treatment of this 

 disease is prevention, which consists in the exercise of proper care in 

 feedmg only clean, well-cured forage and grain and pure water from 

 an uncontaminated source. These measures when faithfully carried 

 out check the development of additional cases of the disease upon 

 the affected premises. 



While medicinal treatment has proved unsatisfactory in the vast 

 majority of cases, nevertheless the first indication is to clean out the 

 digestive tract thoroughly, and to accompUsh this prompt measures 

 must be used early in the disease. Active and concentrated reme- 

 dies should be given, preferably subcutaneously or intravenously, 

 owing to the great difficulty in swallowing, even in the early stage. 

 Arecolin in one-half grain doses, subcutaneously, has given as much sat- 

 isfaction as any other drug. After purging the animal the treatment 

 is mostly symptomatic. Intestinal disinfectants, particularly calomel, 

 salol, and sahcylic acid, have been recommended, and mild anti- 

 septic mouth washes are advisable. Antipyretics are of doubtful 

 value, as better results are obtamed, if the temperature is high, by 

 copious cold-water injections. An ice pack applied to the head is 

 beneficial in case of marked psychic disturbance. One-ounce doses 

 of chloral hydrate per rectum should be given if the patient is violent 

 or muscular spasms are severe. If the temperature becomes sub- 

 normal, the animal should be warmly blanketed, and if much weakness 

 is shown this should be combated with stimulants, such as strych- 

 nm, camphor, alcohol, atropin, or aromatic spirits of ammonia. 

 Early in the disease urotropin (hexamethylenamin) in doses of 25 

 grains, dissolved in water and given by the mouth every two hours, 

 appeared to have been responsible for the recovery of some cases of 

 the malady. During convalescence the usual tonic treatment is 

 indicated. 



Many of the so-called "cures" made then- reputation at the time 

 the outbreak was abating and when noninterference was proved to 

 be equally effective. One of the most unpleasant developments of 

 the. outbreak in 1912 was the great amount of '^faking," which 

 seemed to be the only contagious feature connected with the disease. 

 All kinds of drug specifics, serums, and vaccmes developed Hke mush- 

 rooms and were exploited in almost every community devastated by 

 the disease. Many tainted dollars were obtained from the suffering 

 horse owners, who grasped at every newly advanced treatment hke 

 drowning men clutcliing at straws. In Nebraska, blackleg vaccine 

 was reported to have been used as a preventive on at least 1,600 horses, 

 and nearly 1,500 of them are said to have died as a direct result of the 

 vaccine. This feature is now being investigated hy the Government. 



