24G 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



in this way daring epidemics of ergotism, Ave may conclude that the rye 

 is very rich in ergot, and its action very violent. (An. P. I, p. 202.) 



J n 1754 a very extensive epidemy of ergotism prevailed in France, 

 nearly approaching in its ravages those of the Middle Ages. It began 

 at Sologue, its traditional birthplace, and spread through the Llandes, 

 Flanders, and Artois. The ergot was so abundant that it formed one- 

 third of the rye. The animals fed on it contracted the same gangrenous 

 diseases as afflicted the human species. (An. PI. I, p. 384.) 



The next outbreak referred to is described as follows: 



An epidemy of ergotism was also reported as occurring in many northern countries, 

 caused by the wheat, rye, and corn Laving been diseased. It lusted during this ami 

 the next, year, and animals seem to have suffered. Wagner described it as it appeared 

 in the marshy districts of Saxony, the circle of Schlieben, and on the banks of the 

 Elster: "A light frost destroyed the blossom on the vine and the rye in 183L Each 

 partially withered blossom of the rye crop, instead of a healthy seed, brought forth 

 a spur of ergot about three-fourths of an inch long. * * * In some houses, where 

 the disease raged most violently, grain was found consist ing of two parts of diseased 

 and one of bitter rye, vetch and a variety of other seeds. * * * Pigs ate ergo- 

 tized rye (jlutlerkom), and suffered from its effects. Dogs, however, instinctively, 

 avoided it: but when compelled by hunger to eat it, they exhibited symptoms of 

 madness ( Tollwuih). I believe that such food was partaken of here and there by dogs, 

 and that it assisted in producing madness, as dogs and cats were so affected that no 

 man ever remembers seeing so many mad as during the existence of the ergotism 

 (Kriehclkraidheil) among the people. This unhealthy grain may have had something 

 to do with the sickness among the lower animals which prevailed at this time, and 

 which was ascribed to the choleraic influence, though its share must have been small." 

 (An. PI. II, p. 17-2.) 



Raphania in pigs was witnessed by Dr. Holm : 



Twelve pigs of various ages were fed with rye which contained much ergot. A 

 few hours afterwards convulsions set in, with foaming at the mouth; the animals 

 grunted and groaned most piteously; became paralyzed in the hinder extremities, 

 and expressed their agony in the strangest contortions. At first I presumed the dis- 

 ease arose from the bite of a mad dog, but on opening the first animal that died I 

 discovered the nature of the malady by finding in the stomach mnch ergoted rye. 

 The jaws were so tightly closed that with great difficulty a. purge of white hellebore 

 was introduced, and that was followed by a dose of vinegar and buttermilk and re- 

 peated douches of very cold water. By these means seven of the animals were saved. 

 The other live died iu the course of a few days. (An. PI. II, p. 197.) 



In our own country we have no compilation of the references to animal 

 diseases which may have been made from time to time, and hence it is 

 impossible for me to give a history of ergotism in this country. My at- 

 tention, however, has been called to the following article in the Farmers' 

 Cabinet, Vol. Ill (1838-'39), p. 161, which shows not only that the dis- 

 ease has occurred heretofore, but that its cause was recognized : ' 



I have just seen a number of the "Farmer and Gardener" of Baltimore, dated 19th 

 June last, which contains an article on the "Hoof-ail" of cattle, audcopied from the 

 Genesee Farmer, upon which I will make a few remarks. 



The writer of the article, John B. Bowers, dates, from Ledyard, and ascribes the 

 loss of the hoofs in three cows to their having been fed for eight or nine days on 

 spear grass (I suppose our green grass, jpO* riridis) affected with ergot. The con- 

 jecture is well founded, as you may be assured by referring to the fifth volume of the 

 Memoirs of the "Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture," p. 19G, where you 

 will see a paper of mine on the subject, which I think will leave no room to doubt as 

 to the cause of the disease. It is a curious fact that the ergot of rye, if ground into 

 meal with sound rye, when made into bread and eaten produces mortification of the 

 lower extremities in France. (See Memoirs of the same societv, volume 3, appendix, 

 p. 5.) 



JAMES MEASE. 



Chestnut Street, Oefober G, 1833. 



Dr. James Mease, the writer of the above, gives the following ad- 

 ditional information on the same subject: 



In the year 1803, the late Joseph Cooper, of New Jersey, informed me that he had 

 obser ved the hay made of the "natural green grass, or spear-grass (j>oa viridis), growing 



