88 Filices, Fungi [OH. 
died. (6) Chesnut and Wilcox (1901) say that cases of poisoning of 
horses and cattle have been reported from England and a few localities in 
the United States, (c) Pott states that when eaten in quantity by 
cattle Bracken causes hsematuria, and in horses nervous symptoms 
(brain trouble), sometimes with fatal effects, (d) Pammel also remarks 
on the believed poisonous character of this plant, (e) In view of its 
suspected poisonous character feeding experiments were conducted by 
the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries with a large quantity of Bracken, 
but the results were negative, yielding no experimental proof of the 
plant being poisonous. One animal a heifer consumed 60 Ib. of 
Bracken between Aug. 14 and Aug. 20, and after two meals containing 
about 30 Ib. of Bracken showed only symptoms of indigestion. After 
the 60 Ib. there were no symptoms of illness. It has been thought 
possible that the so-called Bracken poisoning is due to Potentilla Tor- 
mentilla (q.v.). 
In 1893 Storrar dealt with the question and expressed the view that 
any disorder due to Bracken was probably not a toxic effect but a 
digestive trouble simply (Jour. Comp. Path., 1893). 
Toxic Principle. Continental authorities say that Bracken contains 
the poisonous Pteritannic acid, which is identical with the Filicic acid 
of the Male Fern (Aspidium filix-mas). 
Symptoms. In the cases of horses which died Miiller gives the symp- 
toms as timidity, slower movement or action, loss of balance, dilated 
pupils, reddening followed by yellowing of the conjunctivas, and slowing 
of the pulse. 
Pammel notes Bracken as an astringent and anthelmintic, and also 
says it causes enteritis, spasms, and paralysis. 
REFERENCES. 
10, 25, 57, 190, 203, 204, 213. 
FUNGI 1 . 
Ergot (Claviceps purpurea). This fungus, parasitic on rye and a 
number of grasses, has long been known to induce distinct poisonous 
effects on man and domestic animals when ingested in sufficient quantity. 
Ergot must be regarded as a cause of abortion in cows, though 
somewhat divergent views have been expressed as to the facts, some 
1 Poisonous parasitic fungi generally are not dealt with in this volume, but 
ergot is included because it is widely distributed and perhaps the best known, while 
its effects have been fully studied. 
