112 STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



should be stated that no other conditions were present which could 

 account for the sickness and death of these animals. The sj'mptoms 

 manifested were the same in all cases. The first sign of poisoning 

 which was noticed was fatigue and indisposition to work. Soon 

 afterwards a cold sweat was to be observed on parts of the body, par- 

 ticularly the neck. A paral3^tic condition soon began to manifest 

 itself, beginning with the tongue and muscles concerned in the act of 

 swallowing and becoming rapidly generalized until the whole body 

 was involved. In two cases, which were observed from the time of the 

 first signs of poisoning until death, the paralysis of the tongue and 

 muscles of the throat was noted about two hours after the first symp- 

 toms appeared. From this time on the animals were unable to swal- 

 low. The paralysis progressed rapidlj^ and death resulted within six 

 or eight hours in the two cases. There were no cerebral symptoms 

 or mental excitement in these horses. The pulse was at first normal 

 but gradually became weaker until it was scarcely distinguishable. 

 Respiration was very slow and deep. The horses had a subnormal 

 temperature during the greater portion of the time. The remedies 

 which were tried in all cases included alcoholic stimulants, blistering 

 the throat, and strychnine. Out of six cases treated in this manner 

 only two recovered. The experiments indicated that it is practically 

 impossible, or even dangerous, to give remedies in such cases by way 

 of the mouth, except during the earliest stages, before the paralysis of 

 the throat has been developed. In one case a pint of whisky was 

 given as a drench, and this stimulant was followed by two one-fourth 

 grain doses of strychnine administered hypodermically. At the time 

 when this treatment was given the animal was so badly paralyzed that 

 it was unable to stand. The treatment seemed to benefit it tempora- 

 rily, and it got upon its feet. After walking about for half an hour 

 the paralytic symptoms returned, and the horse again lost control of 

 the tongue, gradually also of the sympathetic voluntary muscles, and 

 died in an apparentl}^ semiconscious condition. 



One of the well-known effects of overdoses of ergot is the produc- 

 tion of abortion. In several parts of the State numerous cases of 

 abortion have occurred simultaneousl}^ or in close connection on the 

 same ranch. Some of these outbreaks, especially among horses, have 

 proved to be of an infectious nature and the disinfectant treatment 

 suitable for this disease was followed by good success. In other 

 instances, however, outbreaks of abortion were evidently not due to 

 infection, and were not traceable to any cause except the eating of 

 ergot in hay. An examination of the hay in such cases disclosed the 

 presence of ergot in abundance. 



In discussing the problem of ergotism with various stockmen it was 

 found that in many instances the nature and appearance of ergot was 

 not at all understood. A number of stockmen had noticed the spurs of 



