166 



VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



have been fed on quantities of ergot without dangerous 

 effects.* According to the Continental authorities.t how- 

 ever, although very great doses would be required to 

 induce acute poisoning, prolonged administration of small 

 doses causes chronic ergotism, when besides gastro-intestinal 

 irritation, coldness, anaesthesia, and dry gangrene of the 

 feet, ears, and tail, or comb, tongue, and beak, of birds, 

 ensue. The parts drop off without pain, and the disease 

 closely resembles ergotism in man, death resulting from 

 asthenia. 



According to Kaufmann, the post-mortem appearances are 

 gastro-enteritis, flaccid and soft viscera, muscles semi- 



FlG. 14. — OlDIUM AUEEUM. 



B, spores further magnified . 

 (From Smith's ' Veterinary Hygiene. ') 



gelatinous, blood fluid and dark, and the interior of the 

 vessels red. 



The symptoms of poisoning by moulds appear capable of 

 distinction into two phases — the production of alimentary 

 and urinary disturbances, and action on the central nervous 

 system. Thus there are shown colic and tympany, and 

 frequently excessive and constant urination, and also dejec- 

 tion, staggering gait, dilatation of the pupil, blindness, aad 

 paralysis, especially of the hind extremities. 



* See P. Smith, Hygiene, 1905, p. 170. 



t See Kaufmann, 'Traite de Materia Medica.' 



