34 Papilionacese, Rosacese [OH. 
M. Audibert (near Beaucaire) reported the death of 80 sheep from eating 
the press-cake, which is stated to have more pronounced properties 
than the oil. It has been found as an impurity in linseed cake and maize 
meal. (Jour. Roy. Agric. Soc., 1892.) 
Toxic Principle. The toxic properties of the bean are due to Ricin, 
a toxin which is similar to bacterial toxins, and the activity of which is 
destroyed by heating to 100 C. The beans also contain the alkaloid 
Ricinine (C 8 H 8 2 N 2 ), the toxic properties of which are regarded as doubt- 
ful. (See Deane and Finnemore, Yearbook of Pharmacy, 1905, p. 473.) 
Symptoms. These usually appear some days after the ingestion of 
the beans or press-cake. There is generally purging. Broad observed 
in an affected horse loss of appetite, shivering, cold extremities, dejec- 
tion, abdominal pain, constipation, temperature 103 F., pulse 70, and 
death in about three days. 
REFERENCES. 
4, 16, 66, 73, 128, 205. 
BOSAOE2BL 
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.). This exceedingly com- 
mon ornamental shrub has caused the poisoning of numerous cattle and 
sheep on the Continent, but is apparently less harmful in Great Britain 
and in any case animals are not much given to eating the foliage of 
this shrub, the strong smell of the leaves when bruised affording a warn- 
ing of its unwholesome character. Gerlach recorded the intoxication 
of 25 sheep. Bibbey also records the poisoning of 15 sheep by 
laurel, some of them dying (Farmer and Stockbreeder, Jan. 29, 1912). 
On the other hand, Henslow wrote of his cows that they "completely 
ruined a long laurel hedge adjoining the field in which they lived; 
but this abnormal food did no harm either to themselves or the milk 
they produced." 
Toxic Principle. So long ago as 1803 Schrader showed that the 
cherry laurel contains a substance yielding prussic acid. The leaves 
contain the cyanogenetic glucoside Prulaurasin (C 14 H 17 6 N), and an 
enzyme-emulsin which, by its action on the cyanogenetic glucoside, 
induces the formation of prussic acid, which is the actual cause of 
poisoning. The percentage of the glucoside appears to be greatest 
about July and August. By a microchemical examination Peche has 
clearly localised hydrocyanic acid compounds in the leaf parenchyma. 
Symptoms. In poisoning by Cherry Laurel there is bloating, 
inability to rise, loss of sensation, difficult breathing, convulsions and 
