POISONING OF CATTLE BY D/PLOZ)/^ -INFECTED MAIZE. 45 I 



substance of, at present, unknown composition formed during 

 the growth of the fungus in the maize grains. 



Time after exposure at which the first symptoms are shozmt : 



In natural conditions in the veld, cases have been known to 

 occur in six to eight days after the animals were placed on the 

 lands. In the laboratory experiments the shortest time which 

 elapsed between the commencement of feeding on the cobs until 

 the first symptoms were shown was three days, and the longest 

 fifteen days. The animal which developed symptoms in three 

 days was a very ravenous feeder, and this may account for the 

 short time which elapsed before symptoms were shown. It may 

 be taken that the development of the symptoms depends on the 

 quantity eaten and the condition of the cobs with reference to 

 their degree of infection by the fungus. 



Symptoms: 



The first symptoms noted are lachrymation and salivation, 

 accompanied by slight quivering of the muscles of the flank 

 and shoulder. The back is slightly arched, and the animal 

 stands with its legs farther apart than normal. The head is 

 carried low, and the ears droop slightly ; the faeces are mostly 

 soft, but no diarrhoea is present. In this stage, if the animal 

 is walked, only slight symptoms of inco-ordination of movement 

 are to be noticed. Later these symptoms are aggravated ; profuse 

 salivation and lachrymation are apparent; muscular tremors 

 become general. The coat stares ; the back is very much arched, 

 and the animal has a dejected appearance. Progression is slow, 

 and the animal only walks when compelled. Symptoms of in- 

 co-ordination of movements are evinced by high stepping of the 

 legs. Lateral swaying of the body occurs, and there is some- 

 times a tendency to progress with the hindquarters bent to one 

 side. The animal falls after walking a short distance, unless 

 supported. These symptoms last for about one or two days, 

 after which the animal is unable to rise without assistance, 

 and, when lifted, stands with the legs wide apart and the head 

 down, and shows irregular spasmodic contractions of the leg 

 muscles. The tail is flaccid ; on walking the animal knuckles 

 over at the fetlocks of both fore and hind limbs, frequently 

 plunging head foremost on the ground after a short distance. 

 Sensation is retained in the muscles. Rumination is suspended, 

 but the animal feeds occasionally, and drinks fairly well. If cobs 

 are still administered to the animal, the symptoms become more 

 pronounced, and soon the animal is unable to stand on being 

 Hfted. It remains lying on the ground, feeding occasionally. 

 Constipation now ensues, the faeces which are passed being coated 

 with mucus which is blood-tinged. Death is preceded by 

 a complete loss of tone of the muscles, the animal lying stretched 

 out and comparatively limp. 



If feeding on the mealie cobs is discontinued when well- 



