28 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



associates with the affection an organism which he termed Streptococcus mel- 

 anogenes. Mohler states, however, that whether the disease is of microbian 

 origin or an intoxication has not yet been definitely established." 



Ergotism is a disease of bovines caused by the ingestion of 

 Ergotism considerable quantities of food contaminated by ergot. Equines are 

 apparently less susceptible than bovines, although the horses have 

 been known to suffer severely from the disease. Ergotism in man is not 

 an uncommon occurrence, and in nearly every instance it has resulted from 

 eating bread made of ergotized grain. The disease makes its appearance among 

 cattle chiefly in the winter and spring seasons and has at times been the cause 

 of serious losses throughout the central and western states. 



Ergot is the sclerotium of a parasitic fungus, Claviceps purpurea, which 

 infests many species of native and cultivated grasses, and appears on some of 

 our grains, especially rye. The sclerotium represents a stage in the life history 

 Of the fungus, which is intermediate between that of the mycelium or spawn, 

 and that of the spore-bearing thallus. It flourishes particularly well on rich 

 soil and in warm, damp seasons. The chemistry of ergot is not exactly known, 

 although Kobert succeeded in separating three bodies; namely, ergotinic acid, 

 cornutin, and sphacelinic acid. 



Ergotinic acid is a protoplasmic poison, and when injected intravenously 

 produces inflammation of serous and mucous membranes, disintegration of red 

 blood cells, and wide-spread ecchymoses; cornutin excites the central nervous 

 system and causes general convulsions; and sphacelinic acid induces gangrene. 



Symptoms. Ergotism manifests itself among animals chiefly in the chronic 

 form, since, as a rule, the poison is acquired in small amounts and accumulation 

 takes place slowly. Two distinct types of the disease are recognized, namely: 

 spasmodic and gangrenous. Symptoms referable to the digestive tract, such 

 as nausea, vomiting, colic, diarrhoea or constipation appear in both forms. 

 Pregnant animals very frequently abort. 



In the spasmodic type of the disease, symptoms due to over stimulation 

 of the central nervous system, appear. These are tonic contraction of the 

 flexor tendons of the limbs, anaesthesia of the extremities, muscular trembling, 

 general tetanic spasm, convulsions and delirium. Death usually occurs from 

 secondary causes. 



Gangrenous ergotism is attributed to prolonged constriction of the arterioles, 

 and more directly perhaps to degenerative changes in the vessel walls, and the 

 consequent formation of hyaline thrombi. 



It is characterized by coldness and anaesthesia of the extremities, followed 

 ultimately by dry gangrene of these parts. The effects of this dry gangrene 

 are often very serious and amount to sloughing of the feet, tips of the ears, tip 

 of the tail, shedding of the hair, teeth, etc. Death takes place from exhaustion. 



Lesions. With the exception of the gangrene which may vary greatly in 

 severity, there are no lesions of especial significance. Degenerative changes 

 in the sensory area of the cord and in the vessel walls have been observed in 

 animals slowly poisond with ergot. 



Treatment. The first essential in the treatment of ergotism is to remove 

 the cause. In well established cases treatment does not as a rule prove 

 satisfactory. 



Tannic acid is the chemical antidote, and should be given to neutralize the 

 unabsorbed portion of the poison. Chloral is the physiological antidote. In 



