Cryptogamic Poisoning in Ruminants. 307 



certain to show sloughing of the limb at some distance above the 

 hoof. More important still is the fact that the daintily feeding 

 sheep and the pig kept in the same yards do not suffer from the 

 ergotism, 



From rinderpest it is differentiated by the fact that the sores 

 on the mouth (when present) are not of the nature of epithelial 

 concretions, and they do not appear on the vulva, and more sig- 

 nificant still, there is no indication of the introduction of the 

 disease by contagion nor of its rapid progress from herd to herd. 

 The immunity of sheep from gangrenous ergotism is another 

 significant feature. 



Prevention consists in putting a stop to the supply of the altered 

 food or, if it must be given, in giving it in small quantities only 

 with abundance of water or fresh succulent aliment. In the 

 case of grains or marcs the fermentation may be checked by 

 adding % per cent, of common salt and packing the material 

 firmly in a close box or silo. 



In ergotism, succulent food, water arl libitum, stimulants, poultices, fo- 

 mentations or wet bandages, a warm building and pure air are all important. 

 Usually ergot and smut can be safely fed in relatively large amount with a 

 liberal ration of potatoes, turnips, beets, green food or ensilage. 



Treatment does not differ materially from that advised for the ' 

 horse. Antiferments including potassium iodide, and saline pur- 

 gatives stand at the head of the list. Stimulants may be de- 

 manded to rouse the torpid bowels and nervous system and un- 

 less contraindicated by gastro-intestinal inflammation oil of tur- 

 pentine offers itself as at once stimulant, antiseptic and eliminat- 

 ing. Injections and counter-irritants are of use. Then cold (ice, 

 snow, water) to the head, and the confinement of the patient so 

 that he cannot injure himself or others are not to be neglected. 



