SYMPTOMS OF POISONING 265 



3,000 and 8,000 feet. In the western grazing regions the plant 

 is found from the Black Hills of South Dakota, through Idaho, 

 southward through Colorado and northeastern Nevada as far 

 as New Mexico, throughout the Rocky Mountains, and in the 

 States of the Pacific coast. The growth areas of water hemlock 

 are much restricted. It is found only in moist or wet localities, 

 as along the banks of streams and irrigation ditches, in swamps, 

 and on wild, moist hay land, usually in isolated patches. This 

 habit of growth makes the plant comparatively easy to deal with. 



Losses of Stock and Animals Poisoned. — Although there is 

 a considerable difference of opinion among investigators as to 

 the number of animals poisoned by water hemlock, there is no 

 doubt that all of the higher animals, including man, are suscep- 

 tible to the poison. No reliable facts are available upon which to 

 base an estimate of the losses; but it is known that large num- 

 bers of cattle die from this cause every year, though the total loss 

 is much lower than that from loco and larkspur. Reports from 

 Oregon record deaths of 100 cattle in one year, and from Mon- 

 tana, of 150 sheep and as many cattle in a single season. 



A large proportion of the animals poisoned by water hemlock 

 die, for, unless the animals are treated immediately after the 

 first symptom of poisoning occurs, there is small chance of saving 

 them. Because the toxic principle acts so virulently it is prac- 

 tically impossible to treat a large number of cases at one time. 



Poisonous Parts of Plant. — Investigators differ again as to 

 the toxic properties of the stems and leaves of water hemlock. 

 The general opinion, however, is that the whole of the plant is 

 poisonous, at least during the early stages of its growth, although 

 there is much less danger in the part above ground. Usually 

 there are not tops and seeds enough to be harmful when the 

 plant is mixed with hay. Most of the poisonous principle of 

 Cicuta is contained in the root, which is so virulently poisonous 

 that a very small amount appears sufficient to kill any of the 

 higher animals. 



Symptoms of Poisoning. — Symptoms of Cicuta poisoning are 

 frothing at the mouth, excessive flow of urine, very violent con- 

 vulsions, often with more or less opisthotonos, or arching of the 



