1304 CYCLOrEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



entirely to grass. These animals as a rule do not seem to be injured by 

 the habit. Others, however, acquire a taste for the plant and an appe- 

 tite which is not easily overcome, and will continue to eat the loco weed 

 even where there is an abundance of other feed. Whether an animal will 

 become locoed or not is then simply a matter dependent upon the indi- 

 vidual. Some cattle and horses will eat loco weeds during a part of the 

 year for a period of years and suffer no harm. Others acquire a habit 

 which leads them to eat this plant almost exclusively, and these will die 

 within a few months or, in some cases, even within a few weeks. 



Sheep, also, are poisoned in much the same way as horses and cattle. 

 The effect of the poisoning seems to be peculiarly noticeable on lambs. 

 Frequently lambs will die within two weeks of the time when they com- 

 mence to eat this weed, and without any marked loss of flesh. 



IV. Symptoms of Loco Poisoning in Horses. 



The first symptom of loco poisoning in horses is often a change in the 

 general condition of the animal. If high-lived the animal becomes some- 

 what dull. Following this, irregularities in its gait and in its mode of 

 eating appear. The irregularities in the gait may be due partly to weak- 

 ness and simulate a paralytic affection. The horse drags its feet more or 

 less, this being particularly noticeable in the hind legs. Associated with 

 this paralytic condition is an apparent loss of muscular coordination. In 

 stepping over a slight obstruction the horse lifts its feet unnecessarily high, 

 or in going over a rut in a road it may leap as if jumping over a ditch. 

 As the disease progresses the animal becomes solitary in its habit and 

 seems to lose very largely its nervous sensibility. If one approaches a 

 badly locoed horse the horse does not notice the pei'son until he is within 

 a few feet, when it may suddenly rear and perhaps fall over baekward. 

 When it drinks or w^hen it eats there is a peculiar stiff motion of the 

 jaws, showing a lack of control of the muscles. If a locoed horse is used 

 either in riding or driving, this lack of muscular coordination may make 

 it extremely dangerous, as such a horse shies violently at imaginary 

 objects, can not readily be led or backed, and if started in motion is inclined 

 to go in an automatic fashion at the same gate until stopped by some 

 obstruction. In the later stages of the disease the animal loses flesh, its 

 coat becomes rough, and eventually it ceases to eat and dies. 



V. S5miptoms of Loco Poisoning in Cattle. 



The symptoms of locoed cattle are very similar to those of locoed horses, 

 the differences being only such as would be expected from the different 

 character of the nervous organization of the animals. There is the same 

 lack of muscular coordination, and while a steer is not apt to faU over 



