New Zealand Department of Agriculture

Manawatu Herald, 26 April 1894, Page 3

New Zealand Department of Agriculture

I — ♦ - ; ERGOTISM IN CATTLE. ; By J. R, Oharltok, M.R.C.V.S., &c, Government Veterinarian. ! Ergotism is a condition produced by the cumulative action of a poison j present in a parasitic fungus familin ! ! arly known as ergot of rye, and gives ! j rise to abortion in pregnant animals, i to gangrene oi the extremities when j ' taken in large and continued quanti- ! j ties, to paralysis, and frequently to ! ' death. The active agents contained I in the ergot are probably an alkaloid substance known as conmbine, with i sphacelinic and ergotinic acids. i The loss to settlers within the j past year from the cause appears to j have been very considerable indeed, j and there is unfortunately but too abundant evidence pointing to the ' conclusion that not alone are affected paddocks increasing in virulence, but those hitherto clean are showing signs of invasion. While this is ap* plicable in a marked degree to parts of the West Coast, I regret to find that the Waikato, Tauranga, and Hawkt's Bay districts are also affected. How ergot will eventually be got rid of I do not feel in a position to indicate, but I am firmly convinced of the necessity that exists for immediate action on the part of the settlers, and, with a view to assisting them in their deliberations, I will venture briefly a few of the more important points connected with the development and spread of that fungus. Ergot attacks the various grasses, and also the cyperacepe and palms. The grasses more prominently affected by it are the fescues, ryegrasses, and -cocksfoot. The earliest indication of its presence on a grassflower or spikelet is the appearance : of minute drops of yellow gummy liquid ; this dries up within a few | days, and development proceeds j until the ergot " spur " attains its full size. The number of spurs present on each grass spikelet varies j greatly, and each spur or ascophore ! eliminates from its apex countless spores, which, on reaching othar grass flowers, proceed to development, j With the grasa-seed the spurs fall ; those that reach the ground lie on- ! injured till the following spring, I when each sends up a varying number of fruit heads of the perfect fungus ( r 'laviceps purpurea), which, coming to rapid maturity, evolve myriads of spores to attack again the gs asses with which they come ! into contact. From this it will be seen that there are two periods of . spore dissemination — namely, early '' | spring, from the fruit- heads ; and summer, from the spurs. Large : numbers of spui-3, of courae, ar e arrested by the root leaven, and with j

these they are taken into the animal system, especially in winter, when there is a scarcity of food. Symptom — The symptoms produced by the injestiou of ergot vary considerably. As already men* tioned pregnant animals abhort. Occasionally what may be termed a spasmodic form is witnessed, in which there is a peculiar glaring expressiou d 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. Tbe other j and much more serious form is the gangrenous, ami it is no doult de- j pendent upon the quantity of ergot ingested and the continual ingestion of it. £n this form, usually the first I thing noticed by the settler is excessive lameness of one or more feet, tha 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 heavil}', arches the back, loses coni dition. Between the digits, in the j ' heel, and around the coronets be- j comes puffy, and presents a characteristic irritable appearance. Ihese lesions extend upwards ; blotches appear on the ;astein3, the hair falls out, and the hoofs often slough off, the sepaiatiou of the dead parts being associated with excruciating pain. From the commencement, the horns, ears, and legs are usually cold, and there is frequently per sist.nt diarrhoea. Treatment.- Immediately remove to anon affected pasture. Administer a drench consisting of sulphate of magnesium, sodinmchloride, and treacle, equal parts of each, 3iv. to Sviii. according to age size, and ' strength of the animal ; finely-pow-dered ginger, Si. to 3 ii. : the whole dissolved in a liberal quantity of tepid water. Injections of warm water (one or two quarts) into the rectum will have a beneficial effect, ' and can hardly be given too often until purgation is established. Then the following dreuch m.-iy be given : Caroouate of ammonia, 3i. to 3iv. ; cold gruel, about one quart : and this drench may be given twice daily for two or three days. In addition to above treatment, j 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 ; o'ive oil, six parta : but this must \ c applied to raw sores. Pure water and easij. digested nourishing food must be within easy reach of the animal as the appetite reappears. N.;i. — As "Ergotism in New Zealand " will foim a subject for i thorough investigation by the writer, j any information which any settler feels in a position to impart will be esteemed, as there, are doubtless j mauy other important points con j ; nected with its manifestations bore which the writer has not had an opportunity of observing during his short residence in the colony. at. John's Hill. Wanganui, 28th February, 1891.