SECALE CORNUTUM. 173 



mammals. Birds and mammals refuse to take it even mixed 

 with other kinds of food. It requires, in most instances, that 

 the animals should be fed for some time upon it before it pro- 

 duces fatal consequences, and that those animals, in which it 

 produces vomiting, suffer very little from its effects. 



Diez gives the following as the symptoms produced by it on 

 dogs who are compelled to swallow it : " great aversion to the 

 Ergot; discharge of saliva and mucus from the mouth; vomiting; 

 dilatation of the pupil; quickened respiration and circulation; 

 frequent moanings ; trembling of the body ; continual running 

 round ; staggering gait ; semi-paralysis of the extremities, espe- 

 cially the hinder ones ; increased formation of gas in the ali- 

 mentary canal; faintness and sleepiness, with great thirst. 

 Death followed, under gradually increased feebleness, without 

 being preceded by convulsions. To the less constant symptoms 

 belong inflammation of the conjunctiva, and the peculiar appear- 

 ance of turning round in a circle from right to left." In some 

 cases, abscess and gangrene of various parts of the body, and 

 dropping off of the toes, and convulsions have been noticed. It 

 seems, from observations made by Block (Phoebus, op. cit., p. 107), 

 that the Ruminantia suffer less than other animals from this drug. 

 He mentions an instance where twenty sheep ate thirteen pounds 

 and a half daily for two months, and thirty cows ate twenty-seven 

 pounds daily, without producing any prejudicial action, with the 

 exception in the latter of making the cream more caseous. Its 

 action on the gravid uterus is varied, producing abortion in some 

 instances ; having no effect in others. Mr. Youatt remarked 

 that there was always a more or less corresponding action of the 

 uterus after the administration of the Ergot, less so in the 

 ruminants than in the monogastric animals. 



On Man.— In doses from two drachms Ergot produces 

 nausea, inclination to vomit, dryness of the throat, great thirst, 

 aversion to food, uneasiness or actual pain in the abdomen, 

 occasionally alvine evacuations, weight and pain in the head, 



giddiness ; at times, dilatation of pupils and stupor. 



Q 2 



