ERGOT.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 281, 16 June 1875, Page 2

ERGOT.

Maungatubopo, May 11, 1875. To Old Colonial . Dear Sir, —Like many of your other readers, I forward you a sample of what I believe to be ergotted rye-grass, with a request that you will be kind enough to give your opinion of it. I send it at the request of a friend, who will not be satisfied until you have seen it. Should it prove to be ergot, I may say that the same appearances have been observed in the Poverty Bay seed for many years past; it is therefore no wonder (he disease-is so widely spread. Do you think that eating this would have any tendency to cause blindness? This complaint is affecting many flocks in the district without any apparent cause, especially upon change of pasture. — I am, &c., Phibo. There is no doubt but the enclosed spurs are those of ergot grown on ryegrass. There is no doubt whatever that this fungus has been spreading, undeterred, for years, else why make known the accidental discovery of it in one part of the province, bringing to light the fact that it had spread into almost every district. As to the eating of .ergotted rye grass in quantity being the cause of the blindness in sheep, I think it is very probable. The disease set up by eating ergot is usually known by the name of “ Raphania,” or “ Ergotism.” It assumes two forms: the gangrenous, and the spasmodic. In the spasmodic form the victim is often subject to violent contractions of the muscles, intents pain in the joints, much pain in the head, drowsiness, giddiness, and indistinct vision. The gangrenous form of the disease is the more fatal, as the mortality from it is usually 90 per cent, Now, that it has been fully established that ergot is so exceedingly prevalent on the artificial pastures in the province, it is very probable that many of the peculiar forms of disease which the sheep in. this province have been suffering from during the last two autumns, may be directly traceable to the poisonous effects of ergot mixed with their food. It has been frequently observed that when sheep were suffering from the unknown complaint, they have considerably improved after being removed to natural pasturage. This view is further corroborated by the fact that it is only during autumn and early winter, save when hay is stored up for their use, that this peculiar form of convulsive or epileptic disease is observable. In the spring, and through the early part of summer, when no ergoted grass is to be found on the pastures, this peculiar disease complained of in the autumn is not observed. The most experienced stockowners, and the most skilful veterinary surgeons were puzzled as to what this peculiar disease was, as well as to the proper method of treating it. All the symptoms hitherto described of this disease, are quite in accordance with the symptoms observed in cases of ergot poisoning. The symptoms would probably vary in degree in each case according to the natural strength of the animal’s constitution, and the amount of ergot it might have eaten. It should also be remembered that the poison of ergot has a cumulative action.