CAUSE OF FACIAL ECZEMA

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 190, 10 May 1938, Page 13

CAUSE OF FACIAL ECZEMA

Ergot Poisoning Not Thought Factor

OPINION OF SCIENTISTS

By Telegraph—Press Association

Auckland. JliiJ' 9.

A definite opinion flint ergot poisoning is not a factor in facial eczema in <toek has been formed by the plant diseases division of Hie Departmenl of Scientific and 'lndustrial Research, according to a statement made bv pr. G. 11. Cunningham, director of the division. He said flint, in company "'ill l Dr. E. Marsden, permanent head oi’ (lie department, lie had just rompleretl a tour of tlie YVaikato to investigate possible lines of attack on tlie outbreak in collaboration with tbe Department of Agriculture, which had charge of tlie work.

“Ergot is produced by a fiitigus which attacks seed-heads of grasses at the time of flowering.” Dr. Cunningham said. “The fungus replaces the seed and develops into ergot, which is so conspicuous in grasses that have been allowed to run to seed. In tbe Waikato it is generally held that facial eczema occurs usually in rye-grass and whiteclover pastures which have been closegrazed with stock. II does not occur in pastures which have been allowed to run to seed. This shows that ergot poisoning cannot be a factor in the production of facial eczema. Further support is given this by tlie fact that ergot is common to pasture grass throughout New Zealand, being equally prevalent in districts where facial eczema does not occur.”