118 THE VETEEINABIAN 



ERGOT POISON 



(Ergotism) 



Cause: Ergotism is produced by cattle eating fun- 

 goid growths which attack kernels and seeds of rye and 

 blue grass, etc. These kernels or seeds grow dark in 

 color and become abnormally large and curved in shape. 

 The infected grass or hay when eaten by cattle contract 

 the arteries, especially those of the legs, just above the 

 feet, although all the arteries in the body are contracted 

 to a certain extent. This disease is frequently seen in 

 Spring and Summer. 



Symptoms: Ergot is prescribed in cases of bleeding, 

 because of its contracting effect upon the arteries (clos- 

 ing or stopping the flow of blood) where the blood sup- 

 ply is the weakest, as in the extremities. It is cut off and 

 this, of course, causes the skin just above the hoofs to 

 break or crack as though it were cut with a knife. This 

 shuts off the entire supply of blood to the foot, which 

 mummifies, and the lower portion becomes gangrenous 

 and eventually sloughs off. One of the first effects of 

 Ergot Poison in pregnant cattle is abortion, due to the 

 blood supply to the womb being shut off by its contracting 

 effect on the arteries. Cattle are particularly susceptible 

 to Ergotism. 



Treatment: When Ergotism is so advanced as to 

 produce sloughing of the feet it is best to destroy the 

 animal. If other animals are affected slightly, find out 

 the cause and remove it. Look to the hay or pasture as 

 the producer. Administer one-half ounce of Chloral 

 Hydrate, two or three times a day in their drinking water 

 or mix it with sufficient quantity of Flaxseed meal to 

 fill an ounce gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. 

 If the skin is slightly broken above the foot, wash with 

 five per cent solution of Carbolic Acid. Where the feet 

 have become gangrenous amputation of the foot or feet 

 is necessary, which is not advisable unless the animal is 

 very valuable. 



