522 CORNSTALK DISEASE IN CATTLE 



In all of the animals examined, the hemorrhages were of 

 recent origin and the blood normal in its microscopic appear- 

 ance. There were no discolored areas indicative of old ecchy- 

 moses. The distribution and general character of the hemor- 

 rhages, which are the most conspicuous microscopic lesions 

 observed, are very similar to those described in certain cases of 

 vegetable poisoning, more particularly that of fern root. 



Although certain symptoms described by the owners were 

 referable to the nervous system, lesions were not discovered in 

 the brain or spinal cord excepting in one case in which there 

 was considerable hemorrhage beneath the pia mater. 



In one animal certain of the lymphatic glands exhibited 

 more or less blood extravasation, particularly in the interlob- 

 ular tissue. 



§ 410. Differential diagnosis. This disease is to be 

 differentiated from sudden deaths from accidental causes, 

 deaths directly due to engorgement, or to the consumption of 

 too much corn, as occasionally happens during the first days 

 that the cattle are in the stalk field. The diagnosis of the 

 cornstalk disease must, for the present, depend upon the hem- 

 orrhagic lesions and the period of feeding upon the stalks. 

 Mayo has pointed out the fact that occasionally cattle die from 

 eating cornstalks excessively rich in nitrate of potash. It is 

 not impossible that the hemorrhagic lesions are those of septi- 

 cemia hemorrhagica. The only argument against this view is 

 the negative results of the bacteriological examinations that 

 have been made. 



Of the specific infectious diseases which might be confused 

 with the affection, acute anthrax, symptomatic anthrax and 

 septicemia hemorrhagica should be mentioned. Each of these 

 affections can be determined by its specific nature as pointed 

 out under the description of each of these affections. 



REFERENCES. 



I. Billings. The cornstalk disease in cattle. Bulletins No. 7, S, 

 9 and 10. Neb. Ai;ric. Exper. Station, 1886-88. 



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