FACIAL ECZEMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1938, Page 3

FACIAL ECZEMA

ERGOT POISONING THEORY SCIENTIFIC OPINION (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, May 9. A definite opinion that ergot poisoning is not a factor in facial eczema in stock has been formed by the plant diseases division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, according to a statement made by Dr G. H. Cunningham, director of the division. He said that, in company with Dr E. Marsden, permanent head of the department, he had just completed a tour of the Waikato to investigate possible lines of attack on the outbreak in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, which had charge of the work.

“Ergot is produced by a fungus 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 the Waikato it is generally held that facial eczema occurs usually in rye-grass and white clover pastures which have been closely-grazed with stock. 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. Furthei’ support is given this by the fact that ergot is common to pasture grass throughout New Zealand, being equally prevalent in districts where facial eczema does not occur.