412 The Diseases of Animals 



West show that this disease is caused by the presence of 

 salts of barium that are found in the plant. It is pos- 

 sible some chemical antidote may be found to counteract 

 the carium, but nothing definite as to curative treat- 

 ment has been discovered up to the present time. 



Animals that show a tendency to eat loco plants 

 should be placed where they cannot gain access to them 

 and be fed well on nutritious and easily digested food. 

 A good tonic condition powder may be given, made 

 as follows : 



Sulfate of iron 1 ounce 



Gentian root, pulverized 2 ounces 



Nux vomica seed . . 1 ounce 



Saltpeter . 1 ounce 



The ingredients should be thoroughly pulverized and 

 well mixed, and a heaping teaspoonful given in the 

 feed three times daily. Cattle and sheep should be 

 fatted for the market. 



CORNSTALK DISEASE* 



In the corn -growing regions of the central and 

 western states, it is a common practice to turn cattle 

 into the fields after the corn has been gathered, in 

 order to utilize the stalks that otherwise would be 

 wasted. Frequent and heavy losses of cattle occur 

 from what is commonly called "cornstalk disease," a 

 disorder that occurs onl3' under such conditions as 

 these. 



* For further information, see Eeport of Bureau of Animal Industry, Bulletin 

 No. 10, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 58, Kan. Expt. Station, and Btil- 

 letin No. 52, Neb. Expt. Station. 



