218 M. Roulln on the Ergot in Maize, 



seen in a few days to fall off; and, at a later period, the hind 

 legs of the animal waste, and are hardly able to support it. M. 

 Roulin had no opportunity of observing the further effects that 

 might result in this animal, from the prolonged use of maize in 

 this state, for the moment it began to waste, it was killed for 

 the sake of its flesh. He never heard that the use of this food 

 was followed by accidents. 



Mules make no difficulty in eating maize affected with the 

 ergot, the use of which, however, produces in them depilation, 

 swelling of the feet, and sometimes the casting of the hoofs. 



Poultry which eat of it pretty frequently lay eggs without 

 shell. According to M. Roulin, this circumstance, which at 

 first appears so singular, is to be explained, by conceiving that 

 the ergot excites contractions in the organs destined for the ex- 

 pulsion of the egg, which drive it from the oviduct, before it 

 has had time to be invested with its earthy envelope. 



On this subject M. Roulin announced his opinion respecting 

 the possibility of abortions being produced in women, by the 

 use of rye affected with the ergot. Without doubt, the dose 

 necessary for determining the expulsion of the fetus, would re- 

 quire to be greater when the woman was not near her term ; but 

 it would seem that the criminal abuse which might be made of 

 this substance cannot be denied. " If it liad not been observed," 

 said he, " that the use of infected rye, mixed with the food, 

 produced premature delivery, one does not see what could have 

 led people to administer it, for the purpose of hastening labour 

 at the full term." 



It is known that infected rye never acts more powerfully than 

 when newly gathered. Tliis is also the case with infected 

 maize, only with this difference, that the poison seems more 

 active before the seed has acquired its full maturity. 



Maize, from the period when it begins to enter into the ear, 

 to the time when it is cut down, is surrounded by numerous 

 enemies. Beasts and birds are equally fond of it, and it is only 

 the most active watching that can keep them off. When the 

 crop is spoiled by the ergot, there is commonly a relaxation in 

 this fatiguing guardianship. The animals then gorge them- 

 selves day and night with this bad grain, which acts upon them 

 with frightful rapidity. It is not rare to see monkeys and par- 



