lo Feb., 1909.] Diseases of Farm Atiimals. 109 



Treatment. — Chloral hydrate which subdues the spasm is the appro- 

 priate physiological antidote. Dogs should be induced to vomit by the 

 giving of salt and water. Putting the animal under chloroform is some- 

 times advisable. Solution of tannin may be given or a cupful of strong 

 cold tea if nothing else is to hand. 



Nightshade or Belladonna Poisot|ir]g. 



Many deaths of cattle have been vaguely attributed to "nightshade" 

 poisoning. The plant usually held responsible is the Black Nightshade 

 {Solamim nigrum) concerning which the Victorian Government Botanist 

 recently reported as follows: — ^" An almost cosmopolitan weed, either in- 

 digenous or immigrated. The berries if ripe appear to be quite harmless 

 and are sometimes eaten by children without any ill effects. The plant 

 has in a few instances been sent to me as a suspected poison plant but we 

 have no reliable evidence that it has proved fatal. All stock seem to 

 avoid it either on account of its somewhat disagreeable smell or because 

 it is not palatable or by instinct. The word "nightshade" frequently 

 leads people to associate the above weed with the " Deadly nightshade " 

 {Atropa Belladonna) a very powerful poison plant." 



In BELLADONNA poisoning, through the eating of the leaves or berries 

 of the Atropa Belladonna, the principal symptoms in cattle are staggering 

 gait, paralysis, and slow respiration. Death occurs rapidly. Tannin 

 is the appropriate antidote and stimulants should be given. 



Potato Poisor)ir)g. 



Occasionally young cattle and, very occasionally, horses are poisoned 

 by eating potatoes, particularly " greened " potatoes which have been ex- 

 posed to the sun, and sprouting potatoes which have been kept in the 

 dark. The symptoms are those of colic, followed by a staggering gait, 

 tremors of the muscles and distension of the abdomen. In some cases 

 there is superpurgation and in other cases constipation, and these two 

 symptoms have been taken as serving to distinguish two forms of potato 

 poisoning. One form in which the exhibition of pain and purgation are 

 the prominent symptoms is caused by an active poisonous principle in 

 greened potatoes called solanine which is an irritant poison. The other 

 form of potato poisoning is in the nature of a rapid fermentation giving 

 rise to the production of a nerve poison (ptomaine), and flatulence, con- 

 stipation and loss of muscular control are then associated symptoms. 



Treatment. — Sedatives such as laudanum and belladonna in the first 

 form and ammonia stimulants succeeded bv laxatives and nerve stimulants 

 (strychnine) in the other form are the appropriate remedies. 



Stinl^wort Poisoning in Sheep. 



There seems to be very fair evidence that in some parts of South 

 Australia the noxious weed known as Stinkwort, when in the flowering 

 stage, is fatal to ewes heavy in lamb. During the months of April and 

 May there is every year in some localities a great mortality amongst 

 breeding ewes grazing in paddocks which contain stinkwort and the deaths 

 are stated to almost invariably cease when the sheep are removed to land 

 free from the weed. Sometimes young sheep of either sex are affected. 



Prevention. — Removal of sheep before the weed has run to flower. 



