238 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Having made these observations, let us take np the symptomatology of ergotism— 

 they will excuse the incomplete sketch that we trace. 



These morbid phenomena are very inconstant during the period of invasion. Some- 

 times they indicate a lesion of the cerebro-spinal apparatus, at other times the diges- 

 tive babe is invaded, at still other times the symptoms proceed from the circulatory 

 system. This variability is common with fowls, with pigs, and with carnivora. The 

 predominance of the cerebro-spinal affection manifests itself in various degrees of 

 iutensity ; it may be arrested after development when the exciting cause, the aliment- 

 ary use of ergot of rye, has ceased. In the first place, there is vertigo; the animals 

 stumble as if they were intoxicated; they lose their equilibrium, fall on the side, and 

 remain in a state of drowsiness, which is not dissipated even when they arise. The 

 hair and feathers lose their luster ; the temperature of the skin is lowered ; there is 

 anaesthesia, the insensibility following a condition of hyperesthesia; this alterna- 

 tion affects also the sight and the hearing (Wright). It is unmistakable in the canine 

 species ; the pupils are constantly dilated. The symptoms of narcotism that wo have 

 just enumerated persist or arc interrupted by convulsive phenomena, sometimes of 

 the limbs only, and sometimes of the whole body. The general convulsions are char- 

 acterized by tetanic epileptic attacks usually followed by temporary paralysis of the 

 posterior parts. The suffering is sometimes so intense that it is manifested by plaintive 

 cries and contortions. The nervous attack over, the animal falls again into a condition 

 of apathy or drowsiness. If the spasm is limited to the limbs, there remains after the 

 attack a contraction which persists for a certain length of time. 



These phenomena which characterize spasmodic ergotism have an indefinite dura- 

 tion. Death may occur after a few hours or a few days as a result of a paroxysm, 

 Or the disease may be more prolonged and take a chronic form. The nutrition\suf- 

 fers; the animals become thin in spite of the appetite, which, however, is irregular, 

 and finally a convulsion at last destroys them in an advanced condition of marasmus. 

 The circulation is abnormal, the pulse is slow, accelerated but afterwards retarded; 

 the arterial and cardiac contractions are spasmodic. 



The participation of the digestive tube, which may be either the principal or the 

 accessory cause of the cerebro-spinal affection, is announced by nausea, pharyngeal 

 spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, sometimes followed by an insatiable hunger. If this is 

 satisfied the food does not alleviate the hunger, for it causes convulsions. In the 

 south all these symptoms may bo preceded by gangrenous accidents ; the latter may 

 also precede when the circulatory lesion is the first to occur. With the gallinaceans 

 the crest becomes cold, takes a violet or black color, shrivels, and dries; these phe- 

 nomena are also quite constant in the north, but the dessication of the beak, some- 

 binies of the feet, constitutes an alteration exclusive to the south ; gangrenous patches 

 also cover the abdominal walls (Millet). In gangrenous ergotism of the palmipeds, 

 besides the beak, there is sometimes seen mortification of the point of the tongue 

 (Tessier), and of the interdigital membrane which is discolored and becomes dry aud 

 brittle ; then the digits are lost (Decoste). With mammals the gangrene attacks the 

 lower part of one or several limbs, the ears or the tail; these parts become red as if 

 they were the seat of an erysipelatous inflammation ; the color changes to violet, to 

 blue, or to black ; they become mummified and detached when the convulsive par- 

 oxysm has not destroyed life before the completion of the work of elimination. While 

 this is occurring the loss of flesh progresses and marasmus conies on, then, finally, a 

 convulsive movement which destroys the patient. The mummification also attacks 

 isolated muscles and in very exceptional cases the dry form of gangrene is associated 

 with the humid form (Tessier). The pulse remains small, feeble, slow, or indeed it 

 becomes accelerated, febrile, and precipitates marasmus. 



Sheep which are subject to convulsive ergotism, are probably also subject to the 

 gangrenous form. We have abstained from considering- it in the symptomatology be- 

 cause we have not met with documents which authorize us to generalize the symp- 

 toms aud to extend them to the ovine species. 



The gaugrenous form is the only one which has been observed with the bovine 

 species ; it remains local and is not complicated with the greater part of the general 

 symptoms which may precede it with the other species of the domestic animals that 

 have just been referred to. The appetite is preserved, the muzzle remains moist, 

 and the expression of the eye is uot changed. These signs of health often remain 

 until the fatal termination of the disease. The circulatory lesion seems then to be 

 alone in play; it is localized in the digital region of the posterior limbs (Randall), 

 or extends to the metacarpal and metatarsal regions of the limbs of one side (De- 

 coste). A slight swelling of these parts announces the beginning. The hair becomes 

 dull, the skin is dried, hardened, and mummified as well as the parts immediately 

 beneath it. The appetite is preserved, but the animals become thin; a few individ- 

 uals take Uesh after the loss of the gaugrenous limbs aud may be prepared for the 

 butcher. Death in a condition of marasmus is the most common result. When the 

 affection takes a relatively benign form the gangrene does not destroy the part; the 

 digital region loses its elasticity, the points of the toes are elevated, grow fco an un- 



