Ergot must be regarded as a cause of abortion in cows, though somewhat divergent views have been expressed as to the facts, some authorities considering the belief well founded, while others consider that there is little ground for it. It is quite clear, however, that when taken in sufficient quantity Ergot induces serious poisoning of domestic animals. Horses have died in two or three days from eating ergoted hay and wild rye. Extensive outbreaks of ergotism have occurred in the United States, and serious losses have been recorded in the Central and Western States. Ewart remarks that “a comparatively small number of fresh Ergot grains suffice to injure or kill a horse, cow, or sheep.” The effects of the poisoning of animals will be found under _Symptoms_ below. _Toxic Principle._ Ergot of rye is used in medicine. It contains 0·20 to 0·25 per cent. of _Ergotinine_. In the British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911, the grains (sclerotia) of Ergot (see Frontispiece) are described as longitudinally furrowed, 1 to 4 cm. long, slender, curved, tapering to both ends; they break with a short fracture, and are somewhat triangular in transverse section; they have a characteristic and disagreeable odour and taste, are dark violet to black in colour, and whitish within. Ergot contains the physiologically active alkaloid _Ergotoxine_ or _Hydroergotinine_ (C_{35}H_{41}O_{6}N_{5}), also known as _amorphous Ergotinine_, and, when formerly obtained in an impure state, as _Cornutine_ and _Ecboline_. It is the hydrate of the crystalline base Ergotinine (C_{35}H_{39}O_{5}N_{5}). There are also other physiologically active constituents derived from amino-acids. _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.