m] Papilionaceae 27 
nausea, coma and occasional convulsive movements of the muscles of 
the extremities. These symptoms persisted through several days and 
then disappeared. 
REFERENCES. 
4, 16, 63, 64, 81, 128, 144, 161, 190, 205, 213. 
Broom (Cytisus Scoparius Link.). This very plentiful and widely 
distributed plant is undoubtedly to some extent poisonous, though 
perhaps only feebly so in the quantities likely to be eaten by domestic 
animals. Blyth records 400 cases of poisoning from it, however. 
Very hungry animals might eat too much of it, and hence show symptoms 
of poisoning. 
Toxic Principle. The plant contains the alkaloid Cytisine (C n H 14 N 2 0) ; 
also the volatile alkaloid Sparteine (C 15 H 26 N 2 ), a single drop of which, 
according to Blyth, killed a rabbit, which showed symptoms similar 
to those of nicotine poisoning. 
Symptoms. Taken in sufficient quantity broom induces narcotic 
poisoning, with symptoms resembling those caused by Coniine, with 
central nervous paralysis. 
Cornevin gives the symptoms as similar to those due to C. Laburnum. 
REFERENCES. 
4, 16, 82, 128, 203. 
Indian Peas (Laihyrus sativus L.). A type of poisoning that 
deserves attention here is that known as Lathyrism, since it is due to 
the consumption of peas of the genus Laihyrus, the most dangerous 
being the "Indian Pea," L. sativus. The peas of this plant (see Frontis- 
piece) are small and dark-coloured, and are imported largely from India 
and other countries under the general name of Mutter peas, a name which 
they share with the ordinary pea Pisum sativum. In addition to the 
seeds of this species the seeds of two South European and North 
African species L. Cicera and L. Clymenum have commonly caused 
poisoning both in man and in animals, not infrequently leading to 
fatal results. Horses, cattle, sheep and pigs have been affected 
horses particularly so and many cases have been recorded in the 
veterinary journals since 1885. Very heavy losses have occasionally 
resulted from the use of the raw peas as a food for stock. For 
example, in 1884 Messrs. Leather of Liverpool had 35 out of 74 cart 
horses ill through eating Indian peas at the rate of 3 to 4 Ib. per head 
per day. Of the 35 no less than 19 died, and 2 were slaughtered, while 
