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MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Fig. 420. Black Xight-shadc (S'olanum nigrum). 

 fruit thought to be poisonous. (Charlotte M. King). 



Unripe 



serves. The fruit should, however, be used with caution, especially before it is 

 ripe. A decoction of the ripe stubblebcrry when fed to cats does not appear to 

 be poisonous, according to Dr. Buchanan, who fed considerable quantities to 

 cats in the writer's laboratory without injurious effects. Mr. Chesnut says: 



The amount of poison iirescnt in any part of this plant varies with the conditions of 

 growth. The more musky-odored plants are the most poisonous. In some, the amount of 

 alkaloid in the ripe fruit and leaves is so small that these parts may be, and are, con- 

 sumed in considerable quantity without any ill consciuenccs. Poisoning does sometimes 

 follow, but it is not clear whether this is due to improper preparation or to careless selection 

 of the parts used. The use of black nightshade for food is certainly not to be recommended. 

 Cases of poisoning are recorded for calves, sheep, goats and swine. 



The characteristic symptoms are about the same in man and animals. They are stupefac- 

 tion, staggering, loss of speech, feeling and consciousness; cramps, and sometimes convulsions. 

 The pupil of the eye is generally dilated. Death is directly due to a paralysis of the lungs, 

 but fortunately few cases are fatal. 



In June, Dr. Flickingcr reported from Grccntield, Iowa, several cases of sheep 

 poisoning probably due to eating plants of Solaniim nigrum. A subscriber of the 

 Towa Homestead also says that for a number of years poisoning has affected his 



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