Abstract:
Selenosis is described, it is believed for the first time, as being a potential grazing
hazard in many parts of this country, especially in the Karoo areas. A review of
the symptomatology, pathology and epizootology of the condition as it is known
elsewhere in the world is presented together with a short account of experimental
selenosis and some of the known actions or toxic effects of the element on the body.
A brief description of some disease conditions which are believed to be essentially
chronic selenosis syndromes is given, and some thoughts are advanced as to the
possible role of selenium intoxication in the two conditions known as tribulosis
ovis (geeldikkop), and enzootic icterus. In conclusion the results of numerous
analyses of animal and plant tissues for selenium are presented, which indicate the
presence of dangerous amounts of this element in the material examined.
