stituent to be dissolved out of the tissues of the plant before it can 

 be absorbed by the stomach and enter the circulation of the 

 animal. The diffusion of the poison throughout the body of one 

 animal, so that the flesh may be similarly poisonous to another 

 devouring it, thus escaping neutralisation on being subjected to the 

 various vital processes in the animal economy, is in contrast with its 

 destruction by the operations of roasting or boiling, which, accord- 

 ing to Drummond and others, render the flesh quite wholesome. 



Notes on the post iiiorlein appearances observable after poisoning 

 by these plants are somewhat scanty. A change in the blood is 

 said to take place, becoming darker than natural according to 

 Drummond, who also notes that the stomach assumes a brown 

 colour, and becomes more tender than usual. Mr. H. Lukin 

 observes that u the rough inner coating of the paunch will always 

 strip readily on being touched, and this applies in all cases of 

 poisoning with the above poisons." Excessive swelling takes place 

 immediately after death, and is due no doubt to rapid decomposi- 

 tion giving rise to the production of gases that distend the relaxed 

 intestines of the animal. Mr. E. R. Parker observes : "When sheep, 

 horses or cattle die from eating this poison (York Road) decompo- 

 sition immediately after death takes place so rapidly that in a few 

 days the carcase has so decidedly disappeared that one would 

 almost believe that quicklime had been used with that desire. If 

 this was caused by some peculiar properties in the poison, it would 

 be well to know it." 



TREATMENT. 



As might be expected in the case of sickness caused by poisons 

 so powerful and rapid in their action, treatment does not appear 

 to have been satisfactory, as regards any beneficial result. Removal 

 of the poi-onous material from the stomach and intestines is not 

 mentioned, and in all probability cannot safely be clone by the 

 administration of medicines in liquid form, owing to the danger of 

 dissolving out more of the poison, and thus promoting its absorption 

 into the system of the animal. Common soda in solution, and 

 bleeding, have been tried, but without benefit ; indeed, either might 

 rather hasten the death of the animals. No antidote is known to 

 the correspondents who have sent information about the poison 

 plants, but all seem to be in agreement in recommending that the 

 allected animals should not be allowed to drink or to move about r 

 much less to be driven, which is likely to bring about sudden death. 

 Mr. Maiden quotes T.R.C. Walter, who says, "With sheep which 

 have eaten the herb the best treatment has been found to fold 

 them, or shut them up in a yard, so closely packed that they can 

 hardly move, and to keep them thus without food for 36 hours. " 

 By having recourse to this method, which seems to be generally 

 approved, the danger of over-exertion and that connected with the 

 drinking of water are avoided, and nature is given a chance to get 

 rid of the poison before it has had time to bring about a fatal result. 



