12 Hanunculacese [OH. 
possible, falling-off in milk yield in cows, nervous symptoms, reduction 
in pulse, and stertorous respiration, dilation of the pupils, enfeebled 
condition, difficult mastication, spasmodic movements of the ears, 
lips, etc., followed in serious cases by convulsions, sinking of the eye 
in its socket, possibly stoppage, and death in 6 to 12 hours after con- 
vulsions first appeared. 
In the horse symptoms substantially similar to the above have been 
recorded (Lander). 
In cows, Pott records hsematuria, and reddish or bitter milk. 
Sheep after eating R. repens have been noticed to fall suddenly in the 
field; their eyes rolled, and some animals showed dizziness, and died 
with the head inclined over the left flank (Lander). 
REFERENCES. 
47, 63, 81, 112, 130, 140, 145, 170, 203, 204, 205, 213, 233, 235. 
Marsh Marigold or King-Cup (Caltha palustris L.). Like the 
species of Ranunculus, the Marsh Marigold is to some extent poisonous 
in character, and both animals and man have suffered. Cattle have 
died from eating it, and Miiller records the poisoning of many horses, 
one of which died. In general, animals refuse it, but may possibly eat 
it when pressed with hunger in times of scarcity of green herbage. 
Cornevin states that it has little or no acrid properties when very young, 
but that it is toxic by the time of flowering acridity increasing with age. 
Toxic Principle. The toxic character of the Marsh Marigold has 
not been fully investigated, though the presence of an alkaloid has been 
determined, and A. B. Smith states that the toxic properties are due 
to the alkaloid Jervine (C 26 H 37 03N2H 2 0) and the glucoside Helleborin 
(C 36 H 42 6 ). On drying e.g. in hay the plant becomes harmless, as in 
the case of most species of Ranunculus. 
Symptoms. Cornevin records that cattle have died from inflamma- 
tion of the digestive tract, and gives the symptoms as those of Ranun- 
culus poisoning. There seem to be digestive troubles, diarrhoea, and 
loss of milk production, even (according to Rusby) when fed with hay. 
In the horse, there is colic, bloating, and inflammation of the bladder, 
while the urine is dark red. According to Cornevin, the symptoms are 
similar to those produced by Ranunculus sp. Pammel quotes Fried- 
berger and Frohner as stating that the plant causes haematuria. Five 
persons who ate it as a herb were "seized with violent sickness and pain 
