76 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



Cause. This disease, as its name indicates, results from the eat- 

 ing of forage containing fungi or molds. It is probable that more 

 than one fungus is involved in the production of this disease, but no 

 particular species has been definitely proved to be the causative factor. 



Symptoms and Lesions. Among the first symptoms observed 

 in mycotic stomatitis are inability to eat, suspension of rumination, 

 frequent movements of the lips with the formation of froth on their 

 margins, and in some cases a dribbling of saliva from the mouth. 

 There is a desire to eat, and frequent attempts to take food are 

 made, but prehension is very difficult. If, however, food is placed on 

 the back of the tongue it is readily masticated and swallowed. If 

 the mouth is examined at this time it will be found red and hot, and 

 exceptionally small blisters will be seen, which, however, quickly be- 

 come eroded and develop into active ulcers varying in size from one- 

 eighth to 1 inch in diameter. Where several ulcers have coalesced a 

 large and irregularly indented patch is formed. These erosions are 

 most frequently found on the gums around the incisor teeth, on the 

 dental pad, inside the lips, and on the tip of the tongue, but they also 

 occur on the cheeks, interdental space, and dorsum of the tongue. The 

 ulcers have a hemorrhagic border, a depressed suppurating surface, 

 and contain a brownish or yellowish colored debris, which is soon re- 

 placed by granulation tissue. As a result of this sloughing of the 

 tissues and the retention of food in the mouth, a very offensive odor is 

 exhaled. The muzzle becomes dry and parched in appearance, which 

 condition is shortly followed by erosions and exfoliations of the su- 

 perficial layer of the skin. Adherent brownish crusts and scabs form 

 over the parts, and similar lesions are seen around the nostrils and 

 external surface of the lips. 



In some cases there are associated with these alterations a slight 

 swelling and painfulness in the region of the pasterns, at times af- 

 fecting the fore feet, at other times the hind feet, and occasionally all 

 four feet. In a few cases the swelling may extend above the fetlock, 

 but it has never been observed above the knee or hock. The skin 

 around the coronet may occasionally become fissured and the thin 

 skin in the cleft of the foot eroded and suppurated, but without the 

 formation of vesicles. As a result of these feet lesions, the affected 

 animal may assume a position with its back arched and the limbs 

 propped under the body as in a case of founder and will manifest 

 much pain and lameness in walking. If it lies down the animal 

 shows reluctance in geting up and, although manifesting no inclina- 

 tion to move about, when forced to do so there is more or less stiffness 

 and a tendency to kick or shake the foot as if to dislodge a foreign 

 body from between the claws. 



In some outbreaks the milch cows have slight superficial erosions 

 on the teats which at times extend to the udder. The cracks in the 

 skin are filled with serum and form brownish colored^ scabs. The 

 teats become tender and the milk secretion diminishes ; in some cases 

 it disappears. 



In mild cases, only the mouth lesions may be observed, or these 

 alterations may be associated with one or more of the other above- 



