Cryptogamic Poisoning in Ruminayits. 299 



From foot and mouth disease, the gangrenous ergotism is dis- 

 tinguished by the facts that the sores are in the nature of sloughs, 

 and not vesicles, and that some members of tlie herd are almost 

 certain to show sloughing of the limb at some distance above the 

 hoof. More important still is the fact that the daintily feeding 

 sheep and the pig kept in the same yards do not suffer from the 

 ergotism. 



From rinderpest it is differentiated by the fact that the sores on 

 the mouth (when present) are not of the nature of epithelial 

 concretions, and they do not appear on the vulva, and more signi- 

 ficant still there is no indication of the introduction of the disease 

 by contagion nor of its rapid progress from herd to herd. The 

 immunity of sheep from gangrenous ergotism is another significant 

 feature. 



Prevention QowAx^i^ in putting a stop to tlie supply of the altered 

 food or, if it must be given, in giving it in small quantities only 

 with abundance of water or fresh succulent aliment. In the case 

 of grains or marcs the fermentation may be checked by adding 

 ]/( per cent, of connnon salt and packing the material firmly in a 

 close box- or silo. 



In ergotism, succulent food, water ad libitum, stimulants, poultices, fo- 

 mentations or wet bandages, a warm building and pure air are all impor- 

 tant. Usually ergot and smut can be safely fed in relatively large amount 

 with a liberal ration of potatoes, turnips, beets, green food or ensilage. 



Treatment does not differ materially from that advised for the 

 horse. Antiferments including potassium iodide, and saline pur- 

 gatives stand at the head of the list. Stimulants may be de- 

 manded to rouse the torpid bowels and nervous system and un- 

 less contraindicated by gastro-intestinal inflammation oil of tur- 

 pentine offers itself as at once stimulant, antiseptic and eliminat- 

 ing. Injections and counter-irritants are of use. Then cold fice, 

 snow, water) to the head, and the confinement of the patient so 

 that he cannot injure himself or others are not to be neglected. 



