76 OUTLINES OF BRITISH rUNGOLOCxY, 



Ergot, though useful from its medical properties, when pre- 

 valent in our fields causes cattle and sheep to slip their 

 young ; and when forming a large proportion in bread, es- 

 pecially in those districts where rye is much used, produces 

 a fatal gangrene. This effect has at present been observed 

 only in man, but it is probable that many diseases in cattle 

 arise from eating it in seasons when it is peculiarly abundant. 

 Though so powerful a drug in affections of the womb, it is at 

 times largely eaten by children on the Continent, under the 

 name of St. John's bread, without producing any evil effects 

 whatever.^ It is observable that the same bad effects are 

 sometimes produced by mouldy provisions which are produced 

 by Ergot in bread. In countries where sausages are dried for 

 winter use, and badly kept, mischief often arises, and the 

 same effect has sometimes followed the use of a peculiar kind 

 of rolled bacon. ^Vhether this is attributable to some decom- 

 position in the meat, or to the presence of Mould, is un- 

 certain. The fatal cases wliich have occurred lately from the 

 use of fresh sausages, induce one to believe rather in the 

 latter notion, though inifortunatcly the data and the results 

 of analysis have not been clear enough to enable one to form 

 a safe opinion. 



* It should seem that gangrene is induced only where Ergot is used for 

 some time continuously. Dreadful cases arise occasionally from the continued 

 unauthorized use of solution of Ergot, to one of wliich I can myself bear 

 testimony. 



