roisoNiNc; of cattle by feeding on paspalum dilatatum 393 



ment followed by frequent paroxysms, and later prostration and 

 death. 



In order to ascertain whether C. paspali, which is known to 

 infect a high percentage of Paspalum lands in this country, 

 would reproduce the symptoms in experimental animals which 

 were observed in America in animals feeding on infected pas- 

 tures, a series of experiments was arranged at the Veterinary 

 Research Laboratory. Six animals were selected for the tests, 

 and the ergot-infected Paspalum was collected from old Paspalum 

 lands at the Government Experimental Station at Cedara. The 

 method of collection was by stripping the infected heads by hand, 

 the material resulting being a mixture of portions of the seed- 

 heads and a fairly high percentage of ripe sclerotia. This 

 material was fed within a few days after collection, in a mixture 

 of bran and a small quantity of chopped lucerne. 



From the experiments it was noted that feeding with quan- 

 tities of infected heads of 9 lbs. to 12 lbs. produces a definite 

 and diagnostic train of symptoms. The initial symptoms 

 appeared in each case on the second day after the infected heads 

 were fed to the animals, and were characterized by muscular 

 tremors, hypersensitiveness, increased glandular secretion, and 

 increases in respirations and pulse-rate. These symptoms were 

 rapidly followed by inco-ordination of movement, lack of tone 

 of the leg muscles, loss of appetite and constipation. Recovery 

 was noted to commence about the fifth or sixth day, and from 

 this onward slow improvement was shown. The animals on 

 being turned out to graze were kept under observation for a 

 1 further period, and it was noted that recovery could not be 

 considered to be complete until at least two months had elapsed 

 from the time the meal of infected heads was partaken of. 

 Abortion did not occur. One animal calved normally three 

 months later. 



A short description of the disease as it appears under natural 

 conditions in the Province of Natal is here given, together with 

 suggestions for preventive measures to be adopted. 



Cause. 



The causal agent of ergotism in this Province has been 

 demonstrated to be Claviceps paspali associated with Paspalum 

 lands which have been established for some years. So far no 

 cases of true ergotism due to ingestion of grass or grain infected 

 with C. purpurea have been reported, and it is doubtful whether 

 this latter fungus exists in any part of the Province to such an 

 extent as to produce clinical symptoms in animals. 



Distribution. 

 The infection is very widespread, in fact, may be looked 

 upon as general throughout the midland portion of the Province. 



