486 
M. R. TRUMBOWEE. 
“ In regard to the so-called ‘ Bottom Disease,’ will say that 
my personal experience is very limited, but I have made much 
inquiry relative to the disease, and from such a source I am 
lead to believe it to be a cirrhosis of the liver, closely 
resembling malarial cirrhosis in man. I am very positive, 
from what I have been able to learn about it, that there is no 
connection between the disease and the so-called ‘ Rattle- 
Weed’ (crotalaria sagittallis), for both of the cases that I 
have had the fortune to see, received hay that was free from 
this weed, while on the other hand, I have seen horses eating 
hay where nearly one-half of the bulk was rattle-weed, and 
none of them developed any symptoms of Bottom Disease. 
This of itself would not signify much were it not corroborated 
by many who have had much experience with the disease. 1 
will send you by to-day’s mail a copy of the Iowa State Med¬ 
ical Reporter (Sept. 1884), that contains an article by Dr. D. 
S. Fairchild, which 1 consider to be the best article yet pub¬ 
lished on the pathology of this disease. It is evident from the 
history of the cases given by him that all the cases which he 
saw were what should be called acute cases, for many of the 
horses that die with this disease are affected with it 
for from four to six months. Another fact that should be 
taken into consideration is that the investigation was con¬ 
ducted principally to prove the crotalaria theory, and the ex¬ 
periments that are given in this aiticle were conducted by 
some student and are wholly unreliable.” 
Dr. W. B. Niles, of Ames, writes: 
“ No disease has been unusually prevalent. Swine diseas¬ 
es have, however, occurred in this region earlier than is usu¬ 
ally the case. I have studied an outbreak of swine disease 
which proved to be swine plague, in May and June. The 
Government remedy apparently did no good. The most 
serious disease in this State at present is tuberculosis. This 
is much more prevalent than has been heretofore supposed. 
The tuberculin test has revealed it in many herds that had 
been supposed free from it. Dairy herds are most involved, 
but many breeding herds are affected.” 
F. Ft. P. Edwards, of Sioux City, writes: 
