622 ERGOTISM 



ished, as may be readily seen in the web of the frog's foot 

 the iris is contracted ; intestinal peristalsis is increased 

 the urinary bladder is emptied. With moderate doses 

 the normal uterine contractions are strengthened and im- 

 proved in tone, but with large doses the contractions of 

 the uterus are continuous and tetanic, are usually produced 

 in fifteen or twenty minutes, and last about an hour. They 

 may cause expulsion of the contents of the pregnant uterus. 

 They result mainly from general contraction of unstriped 

 muscular fibre, but are also believed to be in part deter- 

 mined by stimulation of the uterine centre in the spinal 

 cord. The action of the heart is weakened, and as a rule 

 the pulse rate is slowed. Blood-pressure, after a temporary 

 fall, is raised. Respiration is little affected except in the 

 depression due to toxic doses. 



Ergot, given experimentally in large or continued doses, 

 or the protracted use of ergoted grain, causes ergotism, 

 which is characterised by gastro-intestinal derangement, 

 nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting in animals capable of 

 emesis, and from the impaired circulation and nutrition 

 affecting different areas, subsequently assumes two forms 

 (1) dry gangrene, chiefly involving the extremities, ears, 

 and tail ; (2) inco-ordinate spasms, and sometimes epilepti- 

 form convulsions, with contractures of various limb or trunk 

 muscles as sequelae. 



The fresh extract, injected into animals, causes inco- 

 ordination, cutaneous anaemia, anaesthesia, and paralysis, 

 and in large doses death due to paralysis of respiration. 

 The voluntary muscles are unaffected ; the motor nerves 

 are not paralysed, but, on the contrary, have their power 

 somewhat increased ; the sensory nerves are paralysed ; 

 but it is uncertain whether this action is central or peri- 

 pheral. The spinal cord is paralysed (Brunton). 

 ,-4 Ergot of rye, resembles maize ergot a fungus occurring 

 on Indian corn, and probably containing the same active 

 principles as ergot. The physiological antagonists of ergot 

 are nitrites. 



Toxic EFFECTS are not so marked on horses, cattle, sheep, 

 and rabbits as on men and dogs. Thirty cows amongst 

 them took daily with impunity 37 Ibs. for three months \ 



