19 



veterinarians under the name of epizootic cerebro-spinal meningitis, 

 are supposed to be caused by moulds in the fodder (Pammel 47). 



In the following an account is given of tlie feeding experiments 

 which were performed in order to reach a definite conclusion as to 

 the toxic properties of moulds. The results of tlie isolations set 

 fortli in an earlier part of this paper, show that the presence of 

 fungous spores in the digestive apparatus was of no rare occurrence 

 and, furthermore, that an accumulation in the ahmentary canal of 

 fungous spores in the intestine Hkely took place in some instances, 

 judging by the quantity of fungi isolated. Tlie serious consequences 

 which may result from an undue accumulation in the alimentary 

 canal of fungous spores with toxic properties are apparent and it 

 became the object of this experimental study to prove or disprove 

 the toxicit}^, in particular of those moulds which had been isolated 

 from the digestive tract of man. 



The moulds to be tested were grown in slanted 100x20 mm. 

 agar-agar tubes. They were kept in incubator at 37^ C. for two 

 weeks, at the end of which time the tubes were partly filled with 

 mycelium and spore masses. This material was then smeared on 

 fresh spinach leaves and given the rabbits to eat. 



Rabbit v, weight, 400 grams, fed on Penicillium divaricatam. 

 April 9, two full tubes given. April 12, four additional. x\pril 14, 

 Exitus. 



Rabbit vi, weight, 372 grams, fed on Aspergillus iimbrinus. April 

 9, tw^o full tubes given. April 12, four additional. April 14, 

 Exitus. 



Postmortem examination of Rabbits v and vi showed in both 

 cases the stomach and caecum filled with partly digested food, 

 while the small intestine was practically empty. Lungs and kidneys 

 were of normal appearance and no fungous growth was to be 

 discovered in these organs or on the mucous membrane of the 

 stomach and intestine. Platings from the stomach and from the 

 large and small intestine demonstrated the abundance of spores all 

 along the alimentary canal. 



Rabbit vii, weight, 423 grams, fed on Penicillium avellaneum. 

 x\pril 12, four tubes. April 20, five tubes. April 21, Exitus. 



Postmortem examination revealed the same characteristics of the 

 digestive apparatus as in Rabbits v and vi, and the fungus was 



