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This article was published in 1951
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
Poisoning(?)
V.P. FREEMAN, Inspector of Stock, Gloucester.
Losses in stock due to plant and mineral poisoning is the cause of serious economic loss to the stock-owner every year in N.S.W. This subject, more especially plant poisoning, has been given wide publicity for a number of years, and much scientific matter has been compiled on poisonous plants in this State.
From the Field Officers' point of view the diagnosis of mineral poisoning in stock is more or less simplified by the history of the case, and much the same can be said where mortalities occur and Prussic Acid is suspected through the stock having access to Johnson Grass, Sorghum.etc.: but in the coastal areas where there is a profusion of plant life, and a large number of plants which could cause sickness or death, the discovery of the particular plant causing the trouble is very often a most difficult task.
In a large percentage of cases of suspected plant poisoning, post-mortem reveals a gastro-enteritis, and when the Inspector satisfies himself by a survey of the property and a history from the owner that mineral poisoning is not involved, he is forced back to the problem of plant poisoning. A survey of the property may reveal a number of plants suspected of being poisonous to stock, yet there may be no evidence of these plants having been eaten by the cattle. In addition, if stomach content be forwarded for examination a number of plants may be identified; but none of a poisonous nature.
In coastal areas mortality can occur in paddocks free from any of the known poisonous plants, and at times death occurs so suddenly and post-mortem lesions vary so much that a grave doubt arises in the Inspector's mind as to whether plant poisoning can have been the cause of death. In one such case bullocks died suddenly on a near coastal property, three animals being found dead within a period of two days. The history of this case and a survey of the property did not reveal any chance of mineral poisoning; there was no evidence of scouring, and there did not appear to be any known poison plants growing in the paddock. The appearance of the carcases strongly suggested Anthrax and post-mortem was not attempted, but a number of blood smears were taken. These all proved negative for Anthrax when examined at Glenfield Research Station. A few days later another bullock died suddenly and a post-mortem was held by the D.V.O. Briefly, the lesions found were as follows: Congestion of the subcutis and numerous haemorrhages extending into the muscular tissue; lungs intensely congested; spleen apparently normal; numerous haemorrhages over the surface of the heart. The Abomasum showed moderate, diffuse, sub-mucous congestion; whilst the small intestine showed extremely intense patchy congestion. Specimens forwarded for examination were: Pipettes from various internal organs for bacteriological examination, and portions of the intestines for analysis for Arsenic. Examination of these specimens at the Research Station did not throw any light on the cause of the mortality. A botanical survey of the paddock followed, but the only plants found likely to cause trouble was a narrow-leafed Cotton Bush found on a cattle camp in one paddock, but not seen anywhere else.
Three changes of paddocks were made after commencement of the mortality, but deaths continued at intervals for some time. So much earnest seeking for so little result may appear disturbing in these days of our apparently advanced knowledge, but that is just what happened in the case illustrated. All these investigations over a number of weeks and not one definite lead obtained that may have solved the problem. It is not intended to suggest that this type of case is common on the Coast, but at the same time such cases do occur and they cause no end of work and worry to the D.V.O. and Stock Inspector; to say nothing of the loss to the owner.
It is considered that the lack of certain minerals in the soil of a great deal of the coastal areas may be a contributing cause of "plant poisoning"; most of this type of trouble in cattle occurs in areas recognised as bone-chewing country. It well may be that one of our greatest needs in present-day research is something which might have been carried out without our present advancement in the bacterial and such intricate spheres—a detailed soil analysis of all the land on which we run, or propose to run, our stock.