POISONS. 191 



phate dissolved in a pint of cold water, or water 

 with the chill taken off it. This dose should be 

 mixed up just before using, as it soon loses its 

 strength. 



2. Loco. 



Botanical name Astragalus mollissimus [pur- 

 ple loco]; and Aragallus lamberti [white loco]. 

 Common names Rattle weed; loco. 



It may be said that when the loco grows in large 

 patches it resembles a field of alfalfa, It is a stem- 

 less herb, with numerous leaves, the whole plant 

 being about a foot high. 



Its habitat is in the Rocky Mountain region, ex- 

 tending from Montana south to the Mexican line. 



Horses are its commonest victims, but occa- 

 sionally a bunch of sheep become ' ' locoed ' ' to the 

 profane disgust of the owner. 



Symptoms: Are characteristic and are not seen 

 from eating any other weed. The animal steps 

 high and seems to lose control of its legs. It de- 

 velops an insatiate desire for the weed. Other 

 animals imitate the victim out of curiosity and 

 also become victims of the weed. 



Treatment: This is largely preventive. When 

 an animal is seen eating loco with apparent relish, 

 remove it from the band at once. If worth saving 

 it may be given teaspoonful doses of Fowler's 

 solution of arsenic once daily. 



Do not turn the animals out on pasture when 

 they are very hungry or in the early spring. 



