110 STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



and aluminum sulphate, given as previously directed, might destroy 

 the lupine alkaloids in the stomach and prevent the development of the 

 most violent symptoms. It is advisable to administer this remedy, 

 especially in cases which are observed immediately after the manifes- 

 tation of the first symptoms. The physiological effects of the poison 

 may be controlled by the hypodermic use of morphine or other seda- 

 tives. In view of the extensive losses caused by eating lupines in a 

 ripe condition, both on the range and as hay, it would seem advisable 

 to abandon the use of these plants for forage, at least until experi- 

 ments have been conducted to determine more accurately the periods 

 when such plants are not poisonous. It is certainly dangerous to feed 

 lupine hay to sheep, especially if such hay contains seeds in a ripe or 

 nearly ripe condition. It is recommended, therefore, that lupmes 

 should not be cut for hay, if they are to be cut at all, until the pods 

 are sufficiently matured to allow the seeds to fall out before the hay is 

 stacked. This period will usually fall after the middle of August. In 

 case any doubt is entertained concerning lupine hay which has been 

 stacked, it is advisable to feed liberal quantities of such hay, from 

 different parts of the stack if cut at different times, to 1 or 2 sheep, in 

 order to ascertain its true character, before feeding it in a wholesale 

 way. 



It has often been observed by stockmen that cattle and horses may 

 safely be allowed to eat lupine hay which has been shown to be poison- 

 ous to sheep. It is not alwaj^s safe to allow cattle and horses to eat 

 such haj'^, but these animals as a rule avoid the lupine pods and eat only 

 the stems and leaves. This is perhaps the only explanation which can 

 be suggested at the present time for the observed fact that lupine hay 

 may be harmless to cattle and horses and at the same time poisonous 

 to sheep. 



Lupines are extremely abundant throughout the State, especially on 

 slopes or foothills and on mountain ranges. 



During the past four or five years certain cases of poisoning in Mon- 

 tana and a few other Western States have been vaguely attributed to 

 lupines. 



Our observations and experiments showed conclusivel}^ that lupines, 

 in certain stages of growth, have caused fatal poisoning in sheep. 



Lupines are cut for hay in Montana on an extensive scale, and when 

 containing ripe seeds such ha}'^ is exceedingly dangerous to stock. If 

 used at all it should be used only when it is known to be free from 

 ripe or nearly ripe pods. 



No remedy for poisoning by American lupine has been ascertained, 

 but the trial of potassium permanganate and aluminum sulphate is 

 recommended. 



