66 Thymelacex, JEuphorbiacese [OH. 
According to Miiller there is inflammation of the stomach and 
intestines (with colic, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, passing of blood), 
inflammation of the kidneys (with strangury, bloody urination), and 
in many cases nervous symptoms (weakness, giddiness, and convulsions). 
In a case observed by Lander, in the horse, there was abdominal 
pain, staggering gait, anxious countenance, laboured breathing, pulse 
80, temperature 103-2 F., bowels normal. On the following day there 
was excessive purgation, pulse 120, temperature 104-2 F., and death 
occurred at mid-day. 
REFERENCES. 
73, 76, 81, 130, 141, 170, 190, 203, 213, 216, 240. 
EUPHORBIACEiE. 
Spurges (Euphorbia sp.). Many species of Spurge must be regarded 
as acrid, purgative, and poisonous. Live stock are not likely to touch 
them, owing to the acrid effect of the milky juice on the mouth. 
The Caper Spurge (E. Laihyris L.) contains an acrid, emetic, and 
highly purgative milky juice, and the fruits have commonly been 
employed by country folk as a purge, and also as a pickle, though they 
are dangerous and should not be so used. Pratt records a case in which 
five women ate the pickled fruits with boiled mutton, and all suffered 
severe pain and burning in the stomach, and showed other symptoms 
attendant on irritant poisoning and though all recovered the illness 
was severe. Used in this manner, indeed, they have given rise to 
serious cases of human poisoning. Only very young animals are said 
to eat it, but cattle in the United States are said to be " quite resistant 
to its influence, but they are sometimes overcome." According to 
Chesnut goats eat this plant extensively, and it is said that their milk 
then possesses all the venomous properties. 
Petty Spurge (E. Peplus L.) is somewhat similar to the Caper Spurge 
in poisonous properties, and fatal poisoning has occurred through a boy 
eating it. 
Sun Spurge (E. Helioscopia L.) is similarly poisonous to the pre- 
ceding species. It has caused fatal poisoning to a boy who ate it. In 
Germany cows were poisoned through pasturing in stubble in which 
the plant was growing, but there were no deaths. 
Toxic Principles. The milky juice of these spurges contains highly 
acrid poisonous substances, which have not been individually and fully 
investigated. Drying may reduce the toxicity but does not eliminate it. 
