CORNSTALK DISEASE. A disease that affects cattle, and occasionally horses and sheep. The cause of the disease is still undetermined. By some investigators it has been considered as due to corn-smut or to the organisms of the Murrill disease of corn. Others have believed that a poisonous principle is sometimes present in cornstalks which causes the death of animals. The name toxemia ',midis for the disease was based on this theory. In some localities the disease has been supposed to be due to the com bined action of indigestion and some poisonous substance absorbed by the corn, for example, saltpeter. In a case of cattle - poisoning in Kansas from eating dried cornstalks, an in•esti gatiOn revealed the presence of large quantities of potassium nitrate. This substance had formed in small white crystals which resembled mold, but was readily recognized by tasting. By cut ting a cornstalk in two and tapping it on a table a considerable quantity of powdered nitrate of potash was jarred out. A chemical analysis
showed that this substance constituted IS per cent. of the dry weight of the cornstalks. Feed ing experiments with potassium nitrate showed that 500 grains would kill an adult animal weighing 1200 pounds.
The symptoms are those of violent digestive disturbances followed by delirium and complete unconsciousness. A pronounced weakness of the hind parts is usually observed, which finally leads to paralysis.
Corn-smut has been extracted with alcohol and injected into guinea-pigs with negative re sults, and no poisonous alkaloid has been iso lated by chemical means. Corn affected with the Burrill corn disease has been fed to cattle with out producing any poisonous effects. Until more is known about the cause of the disease it is impossible to suggest a rational treatment..