THE WEEDS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 103 



Bailey (Queensland Agricultural Journal, vol. iii, 1898, p. 356), thus 

 refers to this plant: 



. . . . Year after year I have received specimens of it for identification,, 

 with the report that it was suspected of poisoning stock. Only the other day. I 

 was instructed to visit Nerang, where stock had died, as was supposed, frorm 

 browsing upon poison plants. At the spot where the stock had died there was 

 a dense growth of Noogoora Burr, and it was said that there was a similar 

 young growth of this plant when the deaths occurred (September). At the time 

 of my visit (5th October) young stock were feeding upon plants of this species, 

 but these were, for the most part, very weedy and not at all succulent, on 

 account of there being such a dense growth of them. I consider that this plant 

 would only be really dangerous when making a rank, succulent growth. Mr. 

 W. C. Quinnell, Government Veterinary Inspector, who accompanied me to 

 Nerang, furnished a report for the Chief Inspector of Stock, and by kind per- 

 mission I am enabled to attach hereto an extract from same. 



Experiments made by the late Dr. Joseph Bancroft, soon after the plant 

 made its appearance in the colony, proved conclusively its poisonous nature. 

 Its effect on cattle was to paralyse the heart, induce torpor, and cause death 

 without pain or struggle. He also advised most exact measures being taken to 

 avoid adding this poisonous weed to the flora of Australia. 



Various medicinal properties have been ascribed to this plant by writers, but 

 none of sufficient importance to in any way compensate for its noxious char- 

 acter as a weed. 



The only way to keep this plant in check is to destroy the young plants as 

 they spring, so as to prevent the production of seed. 



Extract from report of W. C. Quinnell, M.E.C.V.S., London, to the Chief 

 Inspector of Stock, re poisoning of stock at Nerang: 



. . . . Arriving at Nerang, Mr. Bailey and I were met by Mr. Clare, the 

 acting Clerk of Petty Sessions, who took us to the locality where the animals 

 had been pastured, and where we soon discovered the weed which had caused 

 the injurious effect, for on examination of the pasturage it was seen that the 

 Noogoora Burr was generally abundant, and it had been eaten down over 

 certain areas .... 



I regret not having had the opportunity of seeing an animal attacked with 

 the reported malady or making a post-mortem examination, as deaths in the 

 township had ceased two or three weeks previously. However, we received 

 from the owners and those that interviewed us a very clear description of the 

 symptoms and post-mortem the latter made by Mr. Clare and I have no hesi- 

 tation in stating that the mortality was due to the cattle feeding too freely 

 upon the succulent spring Noogoora Burr, producing the disorder known as 

 Tympanites, or Hoven, viz., a distension of the rumen or paunch with gas 

 derived from fermentation of the ingesta, and ultimately death by asphyxia, 

 induced by pressure of the stomach on the lungs by the medium of the dia- 

 phragm, or from absorption of noxious gases into the blood. 



Symptoms. Tympanites (variously known as "Hoven," "Blown," or "Fog- 

 sickness") is easily recognised by the swelling on the left side, which may 

 make its appearance while the animal is feeding, or shortly after. The symp- 

 toms are rapid, as a rule, in their appearance ; rumination is suspended there 

 is dribbling of saliva from the mouth, and the nostrils are dilated. As the 

 accumulation of gas increases the greater is the distress of the animal, owing 

 to the increasing obstruction to the entrance of a^r into the lungs ; and this is 

 characterised by means of grunts, bloodshot and staring eyes, staggering gait, 

 and, insensibility at length supervening, the animal falls prostrate to the 

 ground. 



Prevention and Treatment. Animals should be immediately removed from 

 affected areas, and the localities thoroughly cleared of the noxious plant. 



In Early Stages of the Disorder. Diffusable stimulants administered 

 promptly are efficacious in dispelling accumulated gases, viz., a full dose of 

 ammonia, ether, alcohol, or chloroform, in solution. Exercise and friction to 

 the abdomen hasten the expulsion of gas. The introduction of a hollow probang 

 allows escape of gas when the amount of food in the stomach is limited. 



