CHAPTER IV 



FORAGE POISONING, ERGOTISM, AND ASPERGIIXOSIS 



We have several excellent illustrations of how other 



Forage Poisoning external known parasitic organisms may produce disease. 

 Catarrhal stomatitis, for instance, may be produced by the 



ingestion of fodder which has become infected with any one of several fungi 

 belonging to distinct orders. Among these are the rust of clover, bacteria, mil- 

 dew of grass, and the rape-destroying fungus, Polydesmus exitiosus; even the 

 common grass rust and other rusts upon grasses as well as the bunts and smuts 

 are known to produce this form of disease. Among higher plants, such products 

 as the pungent spices of pepper and of the roots of horseradish and radish are 

 treated at length in such pathologies as the Friedburger and Frohner Veterinary 

 Pathology. 



Serious diseases of the stomach are caused not only by pathogenic germs 

 but also by the ingestion of various foods. Many foods, such as unclean, or 

 damaged fodder, poor water, musty hay, mouldy corn, decomposing potatoes, are 

 responsible for gastro-intestinal catarrh; many fodders, also, contain irritant 

 substances. There are several forms of gastro enteritis. Among forms of the 

 third class (including those caused by ingestion of lower organisms such as 

 fungi or poisonous substances) we may mention botulism, fish poisoning, 

 injuries produced by mould fungi, smuts, rusts, and, finally, the so-called toxic 

 gastro-enteritis produced by numerous poisons. These have sometimes been 

 classed as irritant poisons and narcotic irritant poisons. The vegetable poisons 

 under this head are numerous and have been treated under the different plants. 

 Some pathologists, however, mention especially lupinosis of sheep and equisetosis. 



The terms applied to this disease are Cryptqgamic Poisoning, Forage Poison- 

 ing, Enzootic Cerebritis, Epizootic Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis, Leuco-Encaphali- 

 tis, etc. 



Characterisation. So-called forage poisoning among horses and mules is a 

 non-communicable disease, which undoubtedly belongs to a group of cryptogamic 

 poisonings. Horses seem to be slightly more susceptible than mules, although 

 it usually terminates fatally in both species. 



The disease is characterized by symptoms which are referable to a disturb- 

 ance in the central nervous system, and by lesions which, if present, are also 

 found there. The course of the disease may be very acute, or it may be greatly 

 lengthened, depending upon the suddenness of the onset. The mortality is 

 very high and but few well developed cases ever recover. Suckling foals do 

 not contract the disease. 



History. This disease has prevailed quite generally throughout the 

 Eastern and Central parts of the United States for many years, but 

 until recently has not attracted any considerable attention. During the 

 past few years, however, it has occurred with unusual frequency in the Central 

 West, and, because of the extensive losses directly attributable to it, has 



