DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF CATTLE 443 
Causes. — Eating ergotized grass, which is nothing more 
than diseased grass, is the cause. The diseased grass is cut 
and stored in the usual way, when not eaten in the field, and 
fed during the winter. 
Symptoms. — After cattle have eaten it and it gets into 
the blood it has such a peculiar contracting action on the 
heart, arteries and other vessels that it weakens the circula- 
tion of the blood so much that in some cases it stops it 
entirely in the legs, ears and tail, and as soon as circulation 
in these parts stop they die, rot and drop off. Later on in 
the disease the brain becomes affected and the animal goes 
into convulsions and dies. 
Treatment. — Change the food entirely, bathe the affected 
parts with lukewarm water twice a day, rub dry and apply 
white lotion after bathing. Give the following powder: 
Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre J4 pound. 
Ground Gentian Root % pound. 
Sulphate of Iron ^ pound. 
Mix and give a teaspoonful three times a day to a horse 
or cow ; to smaller animals give one-half of the above dose. 
