COMPOSITAE — THISTLE FAMILY — SNEEZEWEED 783 



but at 3 p. m. the calf was resting easy. Next day he seemed to be nearly as well as 

 usual and took his feed. 



Experiment 2. — October 13th; same calf. A hot infusion of six ounces of the drug was 

 prepared in one quart of water and given between 8 a. m. and noon. Soon after the first 

 dose some weeping began, but no other marked effect was observed. After second dose 

 the calf laid down. Third dose, he continues down, but somewhat restless and sick. 

 Fourth dose, becomes very restless, bowels loose, staggering, and very sick, holding head 

 down, sucking wind, left flank tympanitic but not very tense, right flank contracted, trying 

 to put head between forelegs, and very sick greater part of the day; movements weak and 

 uncertain, purposeless, hyperesthesia very marked, especially along the back, shrinking 

 from least touch, but by persistent handling submits to touch, respiration and pulse quickened, 

 appearance of slight spasm along the back, neither eats nor drinks of food and water and 

 milk in his stall, a little straw from floor in his mouth, and although the jaw is in constant 

 motion the straw is undisturbed and he seems unconscious of its presence. Next day ap- 

 parently well. 



Experiment 3. — October 20th; another calf about four months old. One pound of the 

 dry plant was taken, one gallon water poured on it and Soiled down to a quart; all given 

 by 10:35 a. m. After third dose the left flank tympanitic, feces and urine discharged, 

 slight jerking as though chilled, tremor of muscles of hindquarters, lying on right side over 

 an hour, breathes with some noise and distress, very sensitive from withers to sacrum; at 

 11 o'clock fullness of left flank subsided, limbs showed weakness and later stiffness, very 

 sick, frothing at mouth and flow from nose. Next day the calf was well. 



The large quantity of the drug given this calf producing little more effect than the 

 smaller dose on the former one leads me to suppose that the prolonged boiling may have 

 dissipated a portion of the poisonous principle. Knowing that none of the symptoms ob- 

 served would lead on to death no antidote was administered in any of the experiments. 

 The weeping and movtment of the jaw were probably due to the pungent effect of the drug 

 on the throat and stomach; and I incline to the opinion that the nervous symptoms were 

 not caused by direct action of the drug on nerve centers, but were reflexes for the ir- 

 ritated throat and stomach. 



In the sheep the spasms in severe cases are epileptiform and a sheep may have many 

 such convulsions and yet recover without treatment and afte*- 'iiany hours rise up and walk. 



The horse and mule succumbed to the injurious efifects of the poison quicker 

 and more completely than other animals. The effect is manifested very soon 

 after ingestion and with great violence. The animal cannot control his motions, 

 plunges about blindly, falls dead or perhaps breaks his neck in falling forward 

 with the head under the body. 



An antidote which has proved effective is a pint or two of melted lard poured down the 

 animal's throat. The relief is very prompt. But it must be given before the horse loses con- 

 trol of his limbs, or it cannot be administered at all. The relief is so prompt and complete 

 that it is difficult to believe that it is the direct effect of the lard on the nerve centers, but as a 

 local emollient applied directly to the burning throat and stomach. The local trouble being 

 quickly relieved, the violent reflex effect on the nervous system suddenly ceases. 



When we consider the wide distribution of this plant and that in some places it is so 

 abundant as to hide the earth from view over whole acres, it is remarkable that so few poison- 

 ings occur. But animals have no special fondness for it. When they have been long on the 

 road and deprived of green food, stopping where this weed is found and other green plants 

 scarce, they are disposed to eat a little of it. It is under such conditions that the plant is 

 most frequently eaten and the poisoning occurs. 



Animals, notably sheep, once intoxicated by the plant and recovering, seem to acquire a 

 mania for it, and when finding themselves in localities where it grows hurry to and devour 

 it. 



Within 200 miles of the Gulf of Mexico the H. quadridentatum takes the place of the 

 preceding, is very abundant, harmless, blooms early and dies by August. 



Helen'ium tcnnifolinm Nutt. Narrow-leafed Sneeze-weed. 



A perennial, erect branching herl) from l>^-2i4 feet high; leaves alternate 

 decurrent on the stem, linear filiform; flowers borne in corymbed clusters; 

 heads many flowered, ray flowers yellow, fertile, disk-shaped, ribbed; pappus 

 of 1-nerved chaffy scales, the nerve extended into a point. 



