THE VETERINARIAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1212, 24 May 1895, Page 7

THE VETERINARIAN.

ERGOTISM IN CATTLE. Ergotism is a condition produced by the cumulative action of a poison present in a parasitic fungus familiarly known as ergot of rye, and gives rise to abortion in pregnant animals, to gangrene of the extremities when taken in large and continued quantities, to paralysis, and frequently to death. The active agents contained in the ergot are probably an alkaloid substance known as cornu tine, with sohacelinic and ergotinic acids. Ergot attacks the various grasses, and also the cyperacete and pa-ms. The grasses more prominently affbeted by it are the fescues, rye-grasses, and cocksfoot. The earliest indication of its presence on a grass-flower or spilcelet is the appearance of minute drops of yellow, gummy liquid ; this dries up within a few days, and development proceeds until the ergot “ spur ” attains its full size. The number of spurs present on each grass spikelet varies greatly, and each spur or asaophore eliminates from its apex countless spores, which, on reaching other grassflowers, proceed to development. With the grass-seed the spurs fall ; those that reach the ground lie uninjured till the following spring, when each sends up a varying number of fruit-heads of the perfect fungus ( Clctvicepspurpurea) , which, coming to rapid maturity, evolve myriads of spores to attack again the grasses with which they come into contact. From this it will be seen that there are two periods of sporedissemination—namely, early spring, from the fruit-heads j anl summer, from the spurs. Large numbers of spurs, of course, are arrested by the root-leaves, and with these they are taken into the animal system, especially in winter, when there is a scarcity of food.

Symptoms. —The symptoms produced by the ingestion of ergot vary considerably. As already mentioned, pregnant animals abort. Occasionally what may be termed a spasmodic form is witnessed, in which there is a peculiar glaring expression of eye, twitching of the muscles of the hind quarters, and a staggering gait, which may or may not be succeeded by total loss of power in that region. The other and much more serious form is the gangrenous, and it is no doubt dependent upon the quantity of ergot ingested and the continued ingestion of it. In this form, usually the first-thing noticed by the settler is excessive lameness cf one or move feet, the hind ones generally. At first the most careful examination reveals nothing, save, perhaps, great tenderness on pressure being applied to the heel. The lameness rapidly increases in severity .; the animal looks haggard, breathes heavily, arches the hack, loses condition. Between the digits, in the heel, and around the coronets becomes puffy, and presents a characteristic irritable appearance. Those lesions extend upwards ; blotches appear on the pasterns, the hair falls out, and the hoots .often slough off, the separation of the dead parts being associated with excruciating pan From the commencement, the horns, ears, and legs are usually cold, and there is frequently persistent diarrhoea.

Treatment. a non affected pasture Administer a drench consisting of sulphate of magnesium, sodium-chloride, and treacle, equal parts of each, 4oz to Soz according to age, size, and strength of the animal ; finely powdered ginger, loz to 3oz; the whole dissolved in a liberal quantity of tepid water. Injections of warm water (one to two quarts) into the rectum will have a beneficial effect, and can hardly be given too often until purgation is established. Then the following drench may be given j—Carbonate of ammonia, ldr to 4dr ; cold gruel, about one quart j and this drench may be given twice daily for two or three days. In addition to above treatment, in the gangrenous form the affected limbs should be rubbed twice daily with the following liniment:—Liquor ammonia fortior, oil of turpentine and water, one part each; olive oil, six parts; but this must not be applied to raw sores. Pure water and easily-digested nourishing food must be within easy reach of the animal®as the appetite reappears.— By J. R. Charlton, Government Veterinarian, New Zealand, i