DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 391 



strange than the belief that certain much advertised medicaments 

 can cure all the ills human or animal flesh is heir to ? Indeed, 

 were we compelled to choose betvreen carbonised python and 

 some of these ill-compounded medicines stated to be able to cure 

 all diseases and disorders of whatever kind, we should prefer the 

 former. This, at any rate, might be harmless ; but can we 

 invariably say the same of the latter ? 



Poisons. 



In dealing with poisons in The Diseased and Disorders 

 of the Horse, we spoke of aconite and arsenic poisoning, 

 and mentioned that though arsenical poisoning in horses is 

 diminishing, poisoning by aconite is not at all uncommonly met 

 with, through the administration of overdoses, prescribed by 

 incompetent men. Poisoning of the ox is not so common as in 

 the horse, and, when it does occur in the former animal, it is 

 more often the result of accident than of real ignorance. 

 Ergotism, or poisoning by ergotised grasses, assumes, how- 

 ever, a greater importance as a cause of disease and death in 

 oxen than in horses in our country. 



We will, firstly, speak of poisoning by meadow saflFron, or 

 autumn crocus {Colchicum Autumnale)^ a plant recognised at 

 once by its beautiful purple flowers and shining dark green 

 leaves. Several cases of poisoning by eating the stalks, leaves, 

 pods, and seeds of this plant have been described; but the 

 writers have never met with an instance in the case of the 

 ox. The symptoms manifested generally are colic, diarrhoea, 

 great straining, dulness, cold extremities, and extreme prostra- 

 tion. The meadow saffron is in full bloom in June and July, 

 and is to be regarded as an active poison, very dangerous to 

 horses and cattle. It has been observed that when oxen have 

 partaken of it in some amount, they experience much discomfort, 

 and, thus learning by experience of its nature, often cease to 

 further partake of it. 



Regarding the treatment of colchioum-poisoning, we need 

 scarcely say that the animals should be at once removed from 

 the pasture. If only small quantities have been taken, the 

 animals do not generally sufi'er after removal. If much has been 

 eaten, the diarrhoea is very severe, the pulse becomes weak and 

 irregular, and symptoms of great prostration supervene. When 



