POISONS. 197 



flowers. It is found in moist land. Very little 

 attention need be paid this plant, as sheep will 

 not touch it; a lamb, though, may nibble at it out 

 of mere curiosity and later regret it. 



Symptoms: Frothing at the mouth; diarrhea; 

 labored breathing; bloat; great abdominal pain, 

 and death within a short time. 



Treatment: One dram (sixty grains) of tannic 

 acid dissolved in an ounce of glycerin and a pint 

 of cold water may be given to form an insoluble 

 precipitate, or raw linseed oil, lard, or raw eggs 

 to soothe the mucous membrane. 



10. Ergot. 



Botanical name Claviceps purpurea. 

 Common name Smut. 



Ergot is a black parasitic growth found on va- 

 rious grasses, being very prevalent on both wild 

 and tame rye. The dust-like, powdery pod is 

 familiar to all. 



Its greatest danger is to pregnant ewes, a very 

 small quantity being capable of producing abor- 

 tion. Sometimes it causes serious losses to a band 

 of sheep by being thickly distributed through the 

 hay. 



Symptoms: The animal exhibits symptoms of 

 painful swallowing, gulping as though it were 

 choked. The pulse is slow, breathing shallow, and 

 in gangrenous cases the ears become swollen and 

 purple. Paralysis comes on gradually, death tak- 

 ing place quietly, as though the animal were tired 

 of life. 



