100 CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE, 



SORGHUM. 



The information concerning sorghum plant poisoning is com- 

 paratively new and there are many points concerning which more 

 information is needed. There seems to be abundant evidence that 

 stock, particularly cattle, may be poisoned to a very serious ex- 

 tent by eating sorghum plants, especially plants that are not of 

 vigorous growth. 



Symptoms. — Those who have had a chance to study these 

 cases report that the principal symptoms are stupor, discharge 

 from the eyes, unsteady walk, jerking of the muscles, and poor 

 circulation. The pupils are frequently dilated and the skin lacks 

 sensation. 



Treatment.^ Animals poisoned by sorghum usually die so 

 suddenly that treatment is out of the question ; the poison being 

 prussic acid, one of the most active poisons. 



Prevention. — This trouble occurs especially when the stock 

 is first put into the field. The trouble can usually be avoided 

 by first testing the safety of the food by putting in one animal 

 for a few hours, and if no harm is noticed then the entire herd 

 can be turned in and as a rule — with safety. 



EQUISETUM {Equisetum arvense). 



This plant is commonly called jointed rush, pine top, colt's 

 tail, etc. It is a very common weed growing especially on damp, 

 sandy or gravelly soils. It is probable that poisoning from hay 

 containing this plant is much more common tln'i is usually sup- 

 posed. 



Susceptible animals. —Horses are especially susceptible to the 

 poisoning from this plant, and the younger horses are more 

 susceptible than older ones. Cattle do not seem to be poisoned 

 by it. 



Symptoms. — The horse is unthrifty, becoming very poor and 

 weak, with imperfect control of the hind legs. The appetite may 

 be good, but the horse refuses to lie down, as a rule, until very 

 late in the history of the case. He struggles a great deal after 

 going tlown, and finally dies — worn out from the struggling. 

 The pulse is slower than normal until very late in the case. 

 Temperature is normal or below, until the struggling causes 

 both it and the pulse to rise. (Rich.) 



