394 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OE THE OX. 



Of the next poison, black hellebore, we have little to say, 

 because, fortunately, cases in which this irritant has been employed 

 are becoming very much less frequently met with. Even yet, 

 however, in some parts incompetent persons at times use the black 

 hellebore as a counter-irritant dressing for setons in the dew-lap. 

 This practice is most strongly to be discountenanced. In a case 

 of extreme inflammation set up in this manner, the swelling must 

 be fomented, and a full dose of purgative medicine given. 



Cases of poisoning by eating the solanum dulcamara, or 

 woody nightshade, a plant which flowers in the months of June 

 and July, and produces berries a few weeks later, are rather 

 uncommonly met with. The symptoms manifested are feeble 



Fm. 45. — Solanum Dulcamara. 



pulse becoming almost imperceptible, and wildness manifested 

 by a strange look of confusion and dismay, or by mad rushing 

 at random to and fro. The pupils become much dilated, and 

 the bowels very freely opened. Treatment of these cases consists 

 in the administration of stimulating draughts, as in the case of 

 poisoning by the yew ; but, if much has been eaten, a fatal issue 

 generally ensues. 



We append here a copy of a report by Mr. J. B. Gresswell. 



Gentlemen, May 31st, 1888. 



I have been over to Elsham this day and carefully investigated the out- 

 break of disease among cattle on the farmstead occupied by Mr. George Fowler. 

 I found on inquiry that two had died, and that one had been slaughtered by 

 order of the owner. A fourth died while I was there. Two more were affected. 



