296 Veterinary Medicine. 



Spoiled potatoes have caused adynamic enteritis, with ver- 

 tigo and paralysis (Zimmermann, Grabin, Hohne) and in sheep 

 symptoms of nephritis and cystitis as well (Kloss). 



Mouldy bread has been found to cause indigestion and cere- 

 bral disturbances in cows (Cagny) or nervous disorders without 

 digestive, urinary or febrile trouble (Frohner, Martin and Var- 

 nell). 



Mildew on the leaves of a grapevine has also poisoned six 

 cows (Bisseauge). 



Musty grain and fodder has the same general action as on the 

 horse and produces paraplegia and other nervous disorders with 

 or without digestive troubles. 



The isaria fuciformis has caused the death of cattle which ate 

 the grasses infested by it. 



When we come to the ergots and smuts we find even more 

 evidence of poisoning than in the horse. Toward the end of our 

 long winters in the Northern States we occasionally find wide- 

 spread gangrenous ergotism from eating infe.sted hay, the 

 lesions varying from simple sores around the top of the hoofs, in 

 the inter-digital spaces or on the teats and mouth, to loosening of 

 part of the sole or wall, shedding of the entire hoof or sloughing 

 of the entire limb — just above the hoof, at the fetlock, or in the 

 metatarsal region. Portions of the tail or ears will similarly 

 slough. This appears to be mainly due to the lessening of the 

 calibre of the capillaries by contraction of their walls, under the 

 action of the ergotin and secalin, seconded by the cold of the 

 season. Cold is, however, bj' no means essential to its produc- 

 tion. The other most common form of ergotism is the action on 

 the nervous .system. The contraction of the cerebral capillaries 

 and disturbance of the circulation lead in some cases to a condi- 

 tion of lethargy and apathy in which the animal fails to eat or 

 ruminate and gradually falls into marasmus, or paraly.sis may be 

 induced, or delirium and spasms. Then finally there is the 

 familiar form of abortion induced apparently by the contraction 

 of the involuntary muscles of the womb and of its capillary 

 vessels. 



There is, however, a great difference of opinion as to the dele- 

 terious action of ergot. Various experiments with large doses of 

 ergot on pregnant animals have failed to produce any sign of 



