The Bulletin 
21 
of observers. When the disease has progressed sufficiently so that the 
characteristic trembling ensues, there is a marked stiffness of the joints. 
The animal may sink to the ground manifesting great weakness and ex¬ 
haustion, and may remain lying for hours or days on the spot where it 
has fallen. Animals in this stage may recover, but more often die. 
One peculiar feature of the disease, i. e., that violent exercise has- 
much to do with the development of acute symptoms, has been generally 
reported and is in accord with statements by a considerable number of 
farmers within the State. Prospective buyers of cattle from “milksick” 
areas make use of this fact and drive the cattle until they are heated 
before deciding whether it is safe to purchase. Dixson (1833) early 
noted this and says “It is one of the peculiarities of the disease that 
the poison lies long dormant in the system, and only becomes active 
when excited by some indiscretion or violent bodily exertion.” Woodfin 
(1873) states that “beeves have been fattened in these infected localities, 
started to be driven to market, take the trembles and fail the first or 
second day, while other cattle feeding on the same grounds, left at 
home, remain healthy.” 
This is entirely in accord with observations made by Mr. W. B. Rad¬ 
ford and Mr. James Phillips in Mitchell County, at Spruce Pine, 1ST. C., 
during the present year. Mr. Phillips purchased a herd of 20 steers 
and heifers which had pastured in Wiggins’ Cove, on the farm of Mr. 
S. T. Henry, where white snakeroot grows profusely. The animals 
were driven to the shipping station, several miles distant, and upon ar¬ 
rival at the station five began to tremble. They remained lying down 
most of the time for several succeeding days, and when made to rise 
would stagger along for a short distance and then fall suddenly. They 
had all apparently recovered, however, after about a week. 
The belief, which prevails in some sections, in the occurrence of the 
disease in the autumn only, may be accounted for in the light of this 
peculiar fact, if it is kept in mind that in these places it is the practice 
to drive cattle to market at this season of the year. 
Another peculiarity which has been recorded by a number of observers 
is that the breath of affected animals has a foul odor. This has been 
described as “garlicky,” “like chloroform linament,” and “mildly like 
acetone.” Elder (1874) speaks of it as a “singular fetid odor, pun¬ 
gent, and corrosive.” 
The fact that not all cattle in the herd become affected has always 
been a disturbing factor in accounting for the cause of trembles. As 
long ago as 1822, Coleman notes that “Cattle and horses do not always 
become afflicted with the disease if allowed to range in woods where the 
disease is common.” Woodfin’s (1878) comments bearing on this point. 
