The aetiology of Phalaris staggers in sheep. I. Preliminary observations on the preventive role of cobalt.

Abstract

During the course of an experiment, a "staggers" syndrome developed in Merino ewes which selectively grazed freshly growing Phalaris tuberosa. The symptoms and progress of the disease are described and the toxicity of phalaris is discussed. There was no incidence of staggers amongst 10 ewes which were dosed each week with 7 mg. cobalt, while 11 of 15 untreated ewes were affected, six of them fatally. This response to cobalt is highly significant ( P = 0.00054). In the light of these observations, earlier work relating to "phalaris staggers" is reviewed.