81 

 Ergot also causes aTaortion and in some years the loss to 

 stoclntKn from abortion of cows and mares is heavy* This is greater in 

 seasons when there is an unusual aTjundance of ergot on the grasses. It 

 is certain also that the general health of the anitals is impaired by ergot. 



The properties of ergot to ijjhjbit proper blood circulation 

 and to cause abortion have been laiowti ever since the middle ages, 

 lonicer selected and used ergot as a drug in 1573 and ever since it has 

 been regularly used as a drug in cases of protracted labor and excessive 

 haemorrhage. It is claimed, however, by Bauer (15) that Dr. Stearus, 

 of New York Englahd, \sas J>robably the first vSio used ergot most effectively 

 in such cases about 1622. 



Ergot composition 



The exact chemical composition of ergot is not well -under- 

 stood. A nuBiber of compounds have been isolated bjc various workers but 

 just THaa-t they are, their chemical fonnulae, and properties are not 

 well known in all cases. 



In 1875 Tanret (266) succeeded in isolating a pure substance 

 from ergot which he called " ergot inin". 



In 1884 Kobert (136) discovered three new bodies in ergot: 

 ergotinic acid, cornutin, and sphacelic acid. These, according to the 

 author, are not chemically pure bodies but only physiologic actions. 

 Ergotinic apid- is a nitrogenous glucocide v/ithout action on the uterus 

 and narcotic in its effects. It is a protoplasmic poison, and when inject- 

 ed intravenously produces inflammation of serous aE4 mucous membranes, 

 disintegration of red-blood cells and widespread ecdhymoses. In sphacelic 

 acid Kobert thought he had discovered the agent causing contraction of the 

 uterus. \^ile he considered coanutin as the agent causing strong convulsions 

 and later paralysis and not the pain^causing constituent of ergot. In his 

 later work (137) he attributed the medical action of ergot to comutin. 



