26 HAY AND FODDER. 
hay. It was further found that the hay itself, or rather 
the water in which it had been steeped, was incapable of 
producing forage poisoning in animals protected by the 
B. botulinus antitoxic serum. Samples of food which had 
produced forage poisoning in two other widely separated 
parts of the country were found to contain the same 
bacillus. It has thus been proved that one cause of forage 
poisoning is a bacillus, and that this bacillus, if not B. 
botulinus, resembles it. so closely that morphological in- 
vestigation has thus far disclosed no differential charac- 
istics. Although the investigators hardly feel yet in a 
position to state that it is the only cause, the results are 
most promising and would appear to indicate the final 
solution of this perplexing problem. 
The first symptom noticed is usually weakness and stag- 
gering, with a tendency to stumble over ordinary low ob- 
jects. The muscles of the tongue and throat 
become paralysed, and saliva drips from the 
mouth owing to difficulty in swallowing. The animal 
may become violent, rushing about, usually in a circle, 
and crashing into objects that come in his way. He soon 
becomes stupid and sleepy, and gradually loses control 
of his muscles, leaning against the stall or standing with 
feet spread apart. Paralysis increases, and after some 
time he is unable to stand. Bladder and bowels become 
partly paralysed and do not function unless artificially 
stimulated. The animal may live from one to two weeks, 
but in some cases death may take place within a day or 
so from the time symptoms become noticeable. Dr. Mc- 
Gilvray even states that animals may drop dead when 
taken from the harness, without showing any previous 
symptoms. 
Symptoms 
