CHAPTER IV 
ARAIIAGU. 
Ivy (Hedera Helix L.). The berries of the Ivy are said to be largely 
eaten by certain birds (e.g. blackbirds, thrushes, wood-pigeons), but 
have poisoned children. The plant has long been said to be poisonous, 
but no definite case of poisoning of live stock has been discovered; 
possibly farm live stock would need to eat a considerable quantity for 
serious effects to be induced. Indeed, when keep is short, it is quite 
common in some districts to see Ivy strewed on the fields for cattle 
and sheep to eat, and it is very frequently given to sick animals by 
country people (Garnett). 
Toxic Principle. This has not been closely studied, but ivy contains 
a bitter principle which is strongly cathartic, emetic and purgative. 
Ivy contains a poisonous glucoside Hederin (C 64 H 104 19 ) and a resin 
(Gummi hederce). 
Symptoms. As suggested above, it is doubtful whether animals 
have been poisoned by Ivy. Symptoms given appear to refer to 
children, and consist in sickness, diarrhoaa, nervous symptoms, excite- 
ment at first, then convulsions and paralysis (Miiller). Sickness and 
purgation (Esser). 
Cornevin states that the symptoms are complex, emeto-purgative 
effects being present, with nervous symptoms resembling those of 
intoxication, viz. excitement, then coma, convulsions, uncertain gait, 
and stertorous respiration. 
REFERENCES. 
73, 76, 81, 130, 208, 240. 
CAPRIFOLIACE2. 
Common Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) and Dwarf Elder (S. Ebulus 
L.). These two plants are usually avoided by stock, no doubt in view 
of their odour, more particularly in the case of the latter species. The 
bark, leaves and berries of both species were noticed by Cornevin as 
having pronounced purgative properties, and the berries of S. Ebulus 
as having poisoned turkeys. Esser remarks that the use of S. Ebulus by 
