21 



Spores from four tubes of Aspergillus fiimigatiis killed Ihe animal 

 within 48 ho urs. This example compared with that of Aspergillus 

 terreus fed to Rabbit viii gives some indication of the difference in 

 virulence of different moulds. 



Some characteristic disturbances of the digestive apparatus were 

 found to be common to all of the animals fed. In most of them 

 the stomach was hard and filled to its limit Avith undigested food. 

 Faecal matter had accumulated and abnormally distended the caecum 

 while the small intestine was nearly empty in every instance. The 

 bladder was in every case found to be abnormally full and dilated. 



The symptoms of poisoning from the toxic moulds were invariably 

 muscular convulsions resembling tetanus. The animal becomes so 

 w^eak that it can no longer support itself. The mouth is kept wide 

 open, the head is thrown backwards and friction sounds are distinctly 

 heard at each heart heat. Paresis, especially of the hind quarters, 

 is apparent. Finally the pulse becomes weak and slow and the 

 temperature sub-normal. In all its manifestations the disease seems 

 to be identical with epizootic cerebro-spinal meningitis of the 

 veterinarians. 



The results from the feeding experiments corroborate the obser- 

 vations of Geni with regard to the toxic properties of various species 

 of Aspergillus and Penicillium. The negative results obtained by 

 Otto and other .workers remain partly inexplicable. As to the 

 virulence of the toxin of North American species of these moulds 

 compared with those from Italy, nothing can be said at present, 

 but a comparative study of the two would be desirable. The German 

 strains, w^hich Otto found to be less virulent than the Italian 

 ones, are apparentty inferior in virulence to those of North America 

 herein reported. But careful comparative study is needed before 

 this very interesting question can be settled. 



When viewing the possibility of poisoning in man due to the 

 presence of moulds in the digestive apparatus the numerical factor 

 has to be taken into consideration. It is clear, that moulds present 

 in small numbers would leave no serious effect. It is the accumula- 

 tion of moulds in the intestine which is to be feared. Such 

 accumulation undoubtedly takes place even in healthy persons 

 w^here no multiplication of the fungi within the body is possible. 

 Spore containing food is probably the most common cause of this 

 accumulation. The period of detention of the moulds in the 



