518 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



CHARACTER OF THE DISEASE. 



Mycotic stomatitis is a sporadic, or noninfectious, disease which 

 affects cattle of all ages that are on pasture, but more especially milch 

 cows. It is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth, producing salivation and inappe- 

 tence, and secondarily affecting the feet, which become sore and 

 swollen. Superficial erosions of the skin, particularly of the muzzle 

 and of the teats and udders of cows, may also be present, with some 

 elevation of temperature and emaciation. 



CAUSE. 



This disease, as its name indicates, results from the eating of forage 

 containing fungi or molds. It is probable that more than one fungus 

 is involved in the production of this disease, but no particular species 

 has been definitely proved to be the causative factor. Several 

 attempts have been made by the writer to determine the exact cause 

 and also to transmit the disease to other animals by direct inocula- 

 tion, but with negative results. Suspicion, however, has been directed 

 by various observers to the Uromyces and the red and black rusts that 

 occur on clovers. These fungi cause very severe irritation of the 

 lining membrane of the mouth, producing sometimes a catarrhal, at 

 other times an aphthous, and occasionally an ulcerous stomatitis. 

 The fungus of rape, etc. (Polydesmus excitiosus), is very irritating to 

 the mouths and feet of cattle, causing severe inflammation and in some 

 instances producing symptoms that have been mistaken for foot-and- 

 mouth disease. The fungi (Penicillium and Puccinia) found on 

 grasses have also been credited with the production of stomatitis. 

 The fact that this disease disappears from a locality at a certain time 

 and reappears at irregular intervals would suggest the probability 

 that certain climatic conditions were essential for the propagation of 

 the causative fungi, since it is well known that the malady becomes 

 prevalent after a hot, dry period has been followed by rain, thus 

 furnishing the requirements necessary for the luxuriant development 

 of molds and fungi. Owing to this fact the disease is observed in one 

 locality during one season and in an entirely different section another 

 year, but reappears in the former center when favorable conditions 

 prevail. In this way the affection has occurred at irregular intervals 

 in certain sections of both the United States and Canada. 



SYMPTOMS AND LESIONS. 



Among the first symptoms observed in mycotic stomatitis are ina- 

 bility to eat, suspension of rumination, frequent movements of the lips 

 with the formation of froth on their margins, and in some cases a 

 dribbling of saliva from the mouth. There is a desire to eat, and fre- 

 quent attempts to take food are made, but prehension is very difficult. 



