444 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



the premises occupied by diseased animals as in the case 

 of anthrax. (See page 438.) Whenever serious symp- 

 toms appear, the aid of a skilled veterinarian should be 

 sought with much promptness, that no mistake may be 

 made in the diagnosis of the disease. 



Cornstalk disease in cattle. — This very fatal disease 

 is so named because it occurs in herds that are being 

 grazed on the dry stalks of corn yet standing in the 

 fields from which the ears have been removed. It is 

 most prevalent in years when there has been a heavy 

 growth of cornstalks. It may occur any time after the 

 stalks have become thoroughly dry and so late at least 

 as midwinter. The disease is more likely to occur in 

 cattle that are turned into an ungrazed field when 

 hungry, when first turned into the same or when changed 

 from a field A^ell grazed to one not yet grazed. Cattle 

 one and two years old fall an easier prey to it than those 

 that are older, but its attacks are by no means confined 

 to cattle that are so young. The disease may occur 

 under a wide variety of conditions, but is most in evi- 

 dence when the pastures are dry and succulent food to 

 supplement the ration is not furnished. It has also been 

 said that outbreaks are more frequent just after cold 

 storms, accompanied by rain and sleet, and it prevails 

 to a greater extent among cattle that are allowed to 

 graze on the stalks in the day than among those that 

 remain in the pasture. 



The cause of this mysterious disease is yet hidden. 

 It is now certain that it is not caused by corn smut as 

 was supposed at one time. Nor does it come from the 

 eating of cornstalks affected with a bacterial disease, 

 as was at one time claimed. The real cause, as in- 

 timated, is not known certainly. The following theories 

 find more or less support among those who have studied 

 the questions: (i) That the cause is some poisonous 

 principle in the cornstalks not definitely known : (2) 

 that it is the result of impaction of the dry and not easily 



