POISONOUS FUNGI AND OTHER SPORE-BEARING PLANTS 31 



stimulation of the central nervous system. There is a tonic contraction 

 of the flexor tendons of the limbs, anaesthesia of the extremities, muscular 

 trembling, general tetanic spasms, convulsions and delirium. Death 

 usually occurs from secondary causes. 



The gangrenous type of the disease is marked by coldness and anaes- 

 thesia of the extremities succeeded by dry gangrene of these parts with 

 loss of the feet, tips of the ears, dropping of the tail, shedding of the hair 



FIG. 9. Calf No. 2. Note that the entire lower jaw, neck, and breast are used 

 by the animal in maintaining this peculiar position. Note also that the eye is partially 

 closed and drawn; this is very different from the first symptoms noticed. (After Brown, 

 H. B. and Ranck, E. M.: Forage poisoning due to Claviceps Paspali on Paspalum. 

 Technical Bulletin No. 6, Mississippi Agricultural Experiment Station, 1915, p. 24.) 



and teeth, etc. Exhaustion is the cause of death in this form of ergotism. 

 Acute poisoning is characterized by profuse salivation, dilatation of the 

 pupils of the eyes, rapid breathing and frequent pulse with vomiting (in 

 dogs). The animal cries out, has twitchings of the convulsive sort, 

 staggering gait, paraplegia, intense thirst and coma, followed by death. 



Golden-rod Rust (Coleosporium solidaginis). This fungus is found as 

 a rusty outbreak on the leaves of various Compositae, such as Solidago 



