538 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



and of the teats and udders of cows, may also be present, with some 

 elevation of temperature and emaciation. 



CAUSE. 



This disease, as its name indicates, results from the eating 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. Several at- 

 tempts have been made by the writer to determine the exact cause 

 and also to transmit the disease to other animals by direct inocula- 

 tion, but with negative results. Suspicion, however, has been directed 

 by various observers to the Uromyces and the red and black rusts 

 that occur on clovers. These fungi cause very severe irritation of the 

 lining membrane of the mouth, producing sometimes a catarrhal, at 

 other times an aphthous, and occasionally an ulcerous stomatitis. 

 The fungus of rape, etc. {Polydesirms excitiosus), is very irritating to 

 the mouths and feet of cattle, causing severe inflammation and in 

 some instances producing symptoms that have been mistaken for 

 foot-and-mouth disease. The fungi (Penicillium and Puccinia) 

 found on grasses have also been credited with the production of 

 stomatitis. The fact that this disease disappears from a locality at 

 a certain time and reappears at irregular intervals would suggest the 

 probability that certain climatic conditions were essential for the 

 propagation of the causative fungi, since it is well known that the 

 malady becomes prevalent after a hot, dry period has been followed 

 by rain, thus furnishing the requirements necessary for the luxuriant 

 development of molds and fungi. Owing to this fact the disease is 

 observed in one locality during one season and in an entirely dif- 

 ferent section another year, but reappears in the former center when 

 favorable conditions prevail. In this way the affection has occurred 

 at irregular intervals in certain sections of both the United States 

 and Canada. 



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 verj'' 

 difficult. If, however, feed 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 become 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 



