]22 



very oat dent that the leaves contain an active poison. 

 Several chemists and pharmacists have found indications 

 of an alkaloid, but a sutldcient quantity has never been 

 isolate] to test its poisonous effects on cattle or horses 

 or shec^p. Sheep and cattle eat the leaves of the shrub 

 in winter or sprino- when pasturage is short, and the 

 animals are huugrv for greeu feed. No doubt they will 

 eat it at any season where pasturage aud feed are short, 

 and the opportunity is given to them. This flowering 

 shrub is very common in nearly all parts of Alabama; 

 possibly more common in hilly regions and along moun- 

 tain creeks. The shrul) flowers in the spring, and is an 

 evergi'een, having green leaves all the year around. It 

 is commonly called the laurel or laurel ivy. 



Treatment. — Alcohol acts as physiological or chem- 

 ical antidote. Whiskey, brandy or alcohol (dilute) 

 may be given every two hours in 1 to 3 fluid ounce 

 doses. Also, a purgative of 1 to 2 pounds of Epsom salts 

 dissolved in 1 quart of water or 1 to 2 pints of raw 

 linseed oil. Do not repeat the purgative under 24 hours. 

 One to three fluid drams of creolin or lysol may be 

 add(^d to the purgative in order to check fermentation 

 Avhile the bowels are inactive. 



The shrub should be cut down, or, better still, grub 

 it up and burn it, and thus prevent cattle and sheep 

 from getting it; this is possible and practicable in pas- 

 tures. 



The Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pa via, L.) is another 

 shrub or small tree whose leaves are poisonous. The 

 clinical symptoms are very like those of poisoning 

 from Kalmia latifolia. The treatment is about fhxi 

 sanu'; at first a good purgative is given and follow it 

 with a stimulant, especially during the period of de- 

 pression. In pastures grub it up and burn all the Red 

 Buckeve bushes and small trees. 



Batchelor (American Journal Pharmacy, 1873, p. 

 145 j, found in the seed ol the red bucke^^e, a poi;:;ou'iuft 



