570 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



other portions of the plant also contain the poison to some extent. It 

 should be remembered that the chief danger from poisoning comes from 

 the roots and not from the leaves or stem. It is generally when the 

 plant has been pulled up by the roots and stock gets at them, that the 

 great danger occurs. 



Sym/ptoinu : The most evident symptoms are acute pains in the stomach 

 and intestines. The patient shows difficulty in walking, with a tendency 

 towards convulsions and vomiting. Poisoning from this pLant is fatal in 

 nearly every case. Great care should be exercised that stock is not allowed 

 to get at it. 



Poison Heinlock: This plant Wfis brought to the United States from 

 Europe or Asia. It is now naturalized and quit€ common throughout the 

 entire Eastern and Middle States, but not very common in the Mississippi 

 Valley. In contrast with the Water Hemlock, the stems and leaves are 

 not hairy or mealy, but perfectly smooth. The stem is hollow, more or 

 less spotted with purple, and the plant is a biennial, growing from 2 to 7 

 feet high. 



The leaves of this plant resemble the common parsley that grows in 

 our gardens, and the flowers that appear in July and August grow in 

 showy white clusters. When crushed, the leaves have a disagreeable flavor 

 and odor. The poisonous element in this variety of hemlock is a volatile 

 alkaloid known as Conine, found principally in the seeds and leaves. The 

 root itself is not very dangerous in March, April and IV'Iay, but becomes 

 verv' poisonous later in the season. It is seldom that many specimens of 

 this plant are found growing in the same field, but the very'fatal nature of 

 the poison makes even a few very dangerous. 



Symptoms: The fii-st indication of poisoning from hemlock is a gradual 

 but steady weakening of the entire system, especially a loss of physical 

 strength. The sight of the animal seems to be affected, but the mind re- 

 mains perfectly clear. Death finally results from paralysis of the heart 

 and blood vessels. _ The difference between poisoning from Water Hem- 

 lock and from Poison Hemlock consists mainly in the fact that convul- 

 sions are usually noticeable in the case of the former, while in the latter 

 they never appear. In cattle the symptoms of poisoning from Poison 

 Hemlock consists principally in the profuse flow of saliva, bloating, lack 

 of appetite, feebleness and weak pulse, and severe pain. 



Broad Leaf Laurel, Mountain Laurel, Poison Laurel, Sheep Laurel, . 

 Poison Ivy : This attractive shrub grows from 4 to 8 feet high, with thick, 

 shiny leaves and rather showy pink flowers ; appearing in May or June. 

 The plant seems to prefer the rough, stony hillsides and mountain slopes 

 of the Eastern States. The poisonous principle is in all portions of the 

 plantwith the exception of the wood. Horses are poisoned occasionally 

 by this plant but the main losses occur among cattle and sheep. 



Symptoms: A mild, persistent vomiting, with a flow of saliva, irregu- 

 lar breathing, impaired sight, dizziness, and a difficulty in controlling the 

 limbs. Later in the course of the disevose the respiration becomes irregu- 

 lar, with marked symptoms of drowsiness which generally passes into 

 complete unconsciousness and finally death. 



Treatment: The Department of Agriculture suggests as a treatment 

 the internal use of one per cent alkaline solution of permanganate of 

 potash. 



Death Cama or Lobelia: In certain states, especially those of the North- 

 west^ a very serious loss of stock occurs from poisoning by this plant. It 



