DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF CATTLE 449 



Causes. — Eating ergotized grass, which is nothing more 

 than diseased grass, is the cause. The diseased grass is cut 

 and stored in the usual way, when not eaten in the field, and 

 fed during the winter. 



Symptoms. — After cattle have eaten it and it gets into 

 the blood it has such a peculiar contracting action on the 

 heart, arteries and other vessels that it weakens the circula- 

 tion of the blood so much that in some cases it stops it 

 entirely in the legs, ears and tail, and as soon as circulation 

 in these parts stop they die, rot and drop off. Later on in 

 the disease the brain becomes affected and the animal goes 

 into convulsions and dies. 



Treatment. — Change the food entirely, bathe the affected 

 parts with lukewarm water twice a day, rub dry and apply 

 white lotion after bathing. Give the following powder : 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre y$ pound. 



Ground Gentian Root % pound. 



Sulphate of Iron y 4 pound. 



Mix and give a teaspoonful three times a day to a horse 

 or cow; to smaller animals give one-half of the above dose. 



