Cornstalk Diseuse 413 
Cornstalk disease is most common in years when 
there is a heavy growth of cornstalks, and after the 
stalks are thoroughly dried. Attacks also appear to be 
associated with cold, wet storms. Younger cattle seem 
to be more susceptible than older ones, and the disease 
is most frequent when the cattle are first turned into 
the fields, or changed from one field to another. 
The disease comes on suddenly, with few premoni- 
tory signs. The first symptom usually noticed is that 
the animal stands apart from its fellows and appears to 
be “humped up.” If made to move, it does so reluctantly 
with a peculiar, “wabbling” gait. There is switching 
of the tail and kicking toward the belly. There are 
usually indications of delirium, and, as the disease pro- 
gresses, these become more marked and associated with 
signs of severe pain, such as bellowing and moaning. 
Death usually follows within twenty-four hours. The 
real cause of the disease is not definitely known, but is 
probably due either to acute indigestion, as a result of 
too much coarse, indigestible food, or poisoning by 
some substance in the stalks. It is not caused, as often 
supposed, by corn-smut, or by bacteria. There is a 
popular belief that it is caused by impaction, but this 
is only a symptom of the disease. 
There is no medicinal treatment that seems to be of 
any benefit, but the following preventive precautions 
will greatly reduce the losses, if carefully followed: 
Cattle should be well fed and watered before turning 
into the fields, and some laxative food, such as alfalfa 
or millet, fed every day. They should be turned on 
the stalks gradually, beginning with a half hour the first 
