CHAPTER XII. 
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
1. Corn Stalk Disease. 
Causes. — It is the result of eating corn ^ talks which have 
minute germs underneath the leaves. These germs are so 
small that you cannot see them without the aid of a micro- 
scope. Corn stalks that are affected with these germs do not 
grow so well, and ripen long before the other corn. 
Symptoms. — There is at first s)^mptoms of impaction of 
ihe third part of the stomach or many-plies, after which the 
brain becomes affected and the animal becomes delirious. 
This is followed by a sort of stupidity, the animal shoving 
its head forv\ard against the stall and paying no attention to 
anything, followed in a few days by death. 
Treatment. — Give the following: 
Epsom Salts 1 pound. 
Bitter Aloes 1 ounce. 
Sweet Spirits of Nitre.. ..1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Fleming's Tincture of Aconite tO to 15 drops. 
Mix in a quart of lukewarm water and give as a drench. 
I'^ollow with: 
Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 10 to 15 drops. 
Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Ginger 1 dessertspoonful. 
Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dessertspoonful. 
Mix in a pint of water and give as a drench every four 
hours until better. Give lukewarm water to drink, feed soft 
food, keep the body warm, and if the animal's head is affected, 
keep ice to its head in a* bag. Smut on corn is very bad feed, 
as it is apt to derange the stomach and cause diarrhoea, and 
if too much smut it sets up a disease similar to ergotism. 
2. Inflammation of the Brain (Encephalitis). 
This disease is not so often met with in cattle as it is in 
horses. 
Causes. — A severe blow on the head, falling and striking 
the head, irritation from small tumors growing around the 
brain and pressing on it, certain kinds of food containing 
ergot or narcotic principles, or eating grains from a distillery 
will cause it. 
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