_Symptoms._ In man Ergot has induced two types of epidemic ergotism, caused by the prolonged use of ergoted rye bread. The two forms are rarely or never found together. One is a gangrenous form characterized by agonizing pain in the extremities, followed by dry gangrene of the peripheral parts of the body. The second type of ergotism is much more rare—a nervous epidemic characterized by paroxysmal epileptiform convulsions.
Owing to the fact that at the outset ergotism causes irritation in the hands and feet it is termed “Kribbelkrankheit” in Germany.
The three substances noted above as isolated by Kobert are stated to cause poisoning—the first producing inflammation of the serous and mucous membranes, disintegration of the red blood cells, and widespread ecchymoses; the second excites the central nervous system and causes general convulsions; and the last induces gangrene.
In one case a horse ate ergoted hay: next day the left hind leg was stiff, and moist with cold sweat; on the second day it was badly swollen and gangrene of all the tissues became apparent, and after the skin of the leg and a considerable part of the muscular tissue had sloughed off the animal died on the third day. In other cases horses showed symptoms twenty-four hours after eating ergoted hay: fatigue, indisposition to work, cold sweat, particularly on the neck, paralysis of the tongue and muscles concerned in swallowing, and then generalized paralysis, very slow and deep respiration, subnormal temperature, normal pulse at first and then weaker till scarcely distinguishable, death in six or eight hours (Chesnut and Wilcox).
According to Pammel ergotism manifests itself among animals chiefly in the chronic form, the poison being acquired in small amounts and accumulation taking place slowly. Two distinct forms of the disease are recognized, the spasmodic and gangrenous. “Symptoms referable to the digestive tract, such as nausea, vomiting, colic, diarrhœa, or constipation occur in both forms. Pregnant animals very frequently abort.”
“In the spasmodic type of the disease, symptoms due to overstimulation of the central nervous system appear. These are tonic contraction of the flexor tendons of the limbs, anæsthesia of the extremities, muscular trembling, general tetanic spasms, convulsions and delirium. Death usually occurs from secondary causes.”