402 



VETERINARY BACTERIOLOGY 



of the species. Webber has found an ascus stage in one species, 

 and concludes that the genus Necomospora of the Ascomycetes is 

 the perfect form; in other species it is the genus Gibberetta. 



Fusarium is characterized by its loose, spreading, cottony 

 mycelium with numerous cross walls, i. e., septate. The conidio- 

 phores are not markedly different from the sterile hyphae, and are 

 usually branched. The conidia are borne at the tips of these 

 branches. They are long, slender, sickle or crescent-shaped 



Fig. 178. Fusarium corallinum, conidiophores and conidia (Saccardo). 



usually, and divided into several or many cells by cross walls or 

 septa. 



Several species of Fusarium are found commonly on grains and 

 moldy corn. This fungus has been believed by some investigators 

 to be of significance in forage poisoning. It is one of the several 

 forms which must be considered in a determination of the poisonous 

 properties of forage. 



One species, the Fusarium equinum, is believed to produce 

 dermatitis in the horse. 



Fusarium equinum 



Disease Produced. Itch disease, associated with sarcoptio 

 dermatitis. 



Norgaard, in 1901, noted the presence of a Fusarium in adenim- 

 titis of horses in the State of Oregon, and proposed the name 

 Fusarium equinum for the fungus. Melvin and Mohler later 

 studied the disease in greater detail. The disease has been re- 



