524 Lupine Disease, 



has been left in tlie open for a long time, and also it would he quite 

 impossible to explain Avliy lupine gro^^^l on neighboring land fed at dif- 

 ferent times and in different manners sometimes sliows great variation 

 in toxicity. 



Arnold and Schneitleiiiiihl 's method of extractiiifjr the toxin : Finely ground 

 lupine is mixed with 1Mj% soda solution to produce a thin pulp. This is maintained 

 at 40 to 50° C. for two tlays and tiien subjected to jiressure. The liquid so obtained 

 is placed on a water bath at 60° C. and after the addition of acetic acid is filtered. 

 Lead acetate is then added and sulphuretted hydrogen passed. It is then evaporated 

 at 50° C. and the semidiquid residue is mixed with 15 volumes of alcohol. The pre- 

 cipitate which falls in about 24 hours forms when dried a brown shining resinous 

 mass. Five grams of this produce typical symptoms in a dog. After further 

 purification the material is found to be of an albuminous nature. 



Liebscher has isolated and ex])erimentally investigated the alkaloids contained 

 in lupine and has shown that they always produce jiaralysis of the medulla oldongata, 

 and further, that absorption from the stomach is very difficult and that no causal 

 connection can be established between them and lupinosis. 



Pathogenesis. Lupinotoxin principally affects the iiincoiis 

 membrane of the alimentary canal and after absorption affects 

 the liver, setting np fatty degeneration and catarrh of the gall 

 bladder. The toxin circulating in the blood canses parenchym- 

 atous degenei-ation and fatty degeneration of all the solid 

 organs. 



Anatomical Changes. In very acute eases there is, in the 

 early stages, cloudy swelling of the liver and jaundice, either of 

 the liver only or of the wdiole body. Later, fatty degeneration 

 occurs, the liver appearing soft, easily torn and of an intense 

 yellow^ color. There may be a number of red foci. There is a 

 simultaneous parenclnanatous degeneration or fatty degenera- 

 tion of the kidneys, heart muscle, and certain groups of muscles, 

 wdiile there is severe inflammation associated wdtli small hemor- 

 rhages in the abomasum, ileum and large intestine. There are 

 numerous hemorrhages in the serous membranes, skin and sub- 

 cutaneous connective tissue, and also an edematous infiltration. 



In chronic poisoning the liver shows chronic interstitial in- 

 flammation, and not rarely a nodular condition produced by 

 shrinkage. These lesions are associated wdtli the presence of 

 fluids in the body cavities, enlargement of the spleen and chronic 

 nephritis. 



Symptoms. In sheep the first symptom is lack of appetite, 

 especially for lupine, other foods being eaten for some time 

 longer. At ahnost the same time symptoms of cerebral excite- 

 ment or great depression occur. There is great w^eakness. The 

 animals lie down a great deal or stand with their heads hang- 

 ing, making vague chewing movements, grinding their teeth, 

 sw^aying from side to side until they drop quite unconscious. 



According to Roloff the temperature is elevated at the 

 onset of the disease but it show^s pronounced irregularity, and 

 towards the end there is a marked fall. Both pulse and respi- 

 ration are greatly accelerated in the later stages. 



