ZYGADENUS, OR DEATH CAMAS. 29 



death without any exhibition of spasms. Plate VI, figure 2, shows 

 sheep No. 161 in this condition of coma. Sheep that are poisoned 

 on the range are more apt to be in this condition of prolonged coma 

 than to show the more violent symptoms of dyspnoea exhibited by 

 animals that are drenched or forcibly fed. 



SYMPTOMS IN HORSES AND CATTLE. 



No results on horses were reached in the experimental work at 

 Greycliff. From conversations with stockmen who have had experi- 

 ence with horses poisoned by Zygadenus, it appears that, in general, 

 the symptoms resemble those exhibited in sheep. 



In the cases of the two head of cattle which showed symptoms, the 

 experiment was carried only to the point of proving the toxic effect 

 of the plant, and no attempt was made to get a complete symptomatic 

 picture. The animals became uneasy, displayed heightened reflexes, 

 and one dragged the hind legs slightly. So far as they went, the 

 symptoms were like those observed in sheep. 



AUTOPSIES. 



Autopsies were made on four cases in 1912, six in 1913, and seven 

 in 1914. Of the cases in 1913, sheep No. 186, while showing distinct 

 symptoms of Zygadenus poisoning, died as the result of the admin- 

 istration of morphin. 



The appearances presented by these animals at the autopsies were 

 quite uniform, though not alike in all details. In six cases there 

 was epicarditis. In nearly all, the inner wall of the ileum was 

 hypersemic or congested, and in all but one the lungs were congested. 

 The kidneys were congested and more or less degenerated in most 

 cases. Generally the heart was in systole, the contraction being 

 most marked in the left ventricle. 



Generally speaking, then, the post-mortem appearances may be 

 stated as including inflammation of the inner wall of the ileum and 

 occasionally of the fourth stomach and large intestines, the heart 

 in systole, congestion of the lungs, and congestion and more or less 

 degeneration of the kidneys. Possibly the condition of epicarditis 

 may be considered typical, although it was not noted in all the 

 cases. 



The preserved material from the autopsies was examined by Dr. 

 Mohler, and the following summarized statement of the pathological 

 findings and the inferences to be drawn has been furnished by him : 



The most conspicuous phenomenon shown in all six cases was the high capillary 

 blood pressure, manifested principally in those organs which eliminated the active 

 principle of the ingested substance, that is, kidneys, lungs, and liver, being also shown 

 to a less extent in the intestine. 



In the kidney the changes in the capillary varix were fullness to overdistention, 

 which was accompanied by outwandering of leucocytes, diapedesis of the red blood 



