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 Studies of animals slaughtered six to eight months after recovery show
the folded ears and rings on the horns and hooves. The liver also seems, to be
quite permanently damaged as food though the central portion probably functions
normally. The edges are thin, hard and leathery and the central secticu greatly
thickened, thus, when prepared for food even this part is coarse and tough and
not desirable.

 Predictable Occurrence

 A few scattered cases appear at any season of the year following the
mowing of a pasture. The severe epidemics appear three to five weeks following a
frost, especially when the weather is warm and not too dry. The frost has the
effect of killing the grass; it then becomes standing hay. As this hay starts
to deteriorate several molds appear on the dead material. One of these is espe-
cially prominent at about the time the green grass (regrowth) is ready for grazing.
This mold has not been identified but it is supposed to be one which is commonly
associated with decaying vegetation. Vhhen the cattle consume this moldy grass and
the new green grass at the same time they become affected by icterus and
Photosensitization.

 For this reason it is believed that in some way the mold cr some
product thereof acts on the animal by inhibiting the excretion of phylloerythrin.
Further experimentation is indicated on this question as well as on identification
of the mold. This could well lead to a more specific name for the disease.

 Preventive Measures

 Several pasture and management procedures should aid materially if
not entirely prevent the occurrence of this condition. Subsequent investigations
may reveal more effective means of control.

 1. Since several grasses have proven more productive than Bermuda, it is
recommended that Bermuda pastures be replaced with such grasses as Pangola,
St. Augustine, Carib and Para.

 2. A regular program of pasture fertilization based on soil tests and
grass growth should help to bring out new growth as quickly as possible to a
grazing stage after a frost or mowing.

 3. Forced grazing of cattle on old Bermuda pastures or grazing too
closely should be avoided*

 4. Mowing or burning Bermuda pastures about three weeks following a
frost may help if cattle are fed elsewhere until new growth has developed.

 5. Supplementary forages or other feeds should be provided for
emergencies to feed the cattle while frozen pastures are recovering,

 6. If symptoms appear, animals should be removed immediately to a
dry lot and treated with sodium thiosulfate as previously described.





Paper prepared for Association of Southern Agricultural Workers.
Memphis, Feb. 5-6-7, 1951.