v] Scrophularineae, Polygonaceae 63 
vomit and repeatedly passing small quantities of faeces. Urination was 
scanty and strained. 
In a case of poisoning among horses to which Miiller refers the animals 
had an exhausted appearance, there was loss of appetite, increasing 
thirst, - of ten also colic, and later diarrhoaa, urination often in great 
quantity, and staggering. Some of the animals died after a few days in 
convulsions. 
REFERENCES. 
4, 16, 73, 76, 79, 81, 161, 170, 187, 190, 203, 
204, 205, 213, 229, 252, 257. 
Lousewort (Pedicularis, sp.). Two species of lousewort are involved, 
P. palustris L. and P. sylvatica L., and though both are regarded as 
poisonous the extent to which they are so is not well known. They 
have an unpleasant smell and sharp taste, and are in general refused by 
all classes of stock. P. sylvatica may be eaten when young (Cornevin). 
Lindley says that both plants are acrid, but are eaten by goats. P. 
palustris is regarded by Pott as an acutely poisonous plant, especially 
for sheep. A decoction of these plants was formerly used against lice, 
and hence the trivial name. 
Toxic Principle. Very little appears to be known about the poison- 
ous principle, but, like Rhinanthus and Melampyrum, they have been 
found to contain the glucoside Rhinanthin (see p. 96). 
Symptoms. The plants are held to be emetic and purgative; to 
cause inflammation of the digestive tract, and to cause anaemia in cattle. 
Brugmann stated (vide Cornevin) that if, pressed by hunger, animals 
eat P. palustris, the first consequence is haematuria. Miiller also notes 
haematuria. 
REFERENCES. 
73, 76, 81, 190, 203, 213. 
POLYGONACEZE. 
Docks (Rumex sp.). In general it is probable that but little harm 
is done by species of Rumex, but owing to the fact that Common Sorrel 
(R. Acetosa L.) and Sheep's Sorrel (R. Acetosella L.) contain acid oxalates 
they may on occasion prove injurious. Instances have been recorded 
in which children have suffered from eating the leaves of the former 
species in considerable quantity, and both species have been accused 
