Mad Staggei's ; its Treatment. 183 



If the above treatment does not arrest imme- 

 diately the disease, death is sure speedily to 

 follow. 



DARNEL POISONING. 



Sometimes cases occur with horses at grass, 

 which are mistaken for mad staggers, but, 

 although producing alarming symptoms, is of an 

 entirely different nature, being no other than 

 poisoning by the bearded darnel (^Lolium temu- 

 lantiwi). Doubtless much mischief is caused by 

 this grass to horses, sheep, and cattle — firstly, by 

 an improper quantity after long confinement to 

 other food ; and secondly, by the irritation caused 

 by the rough bristles or styles with which these 

 are armed. The darnel grass, however, possesses 

 also narcotic as well as irritant properties, the 

 seeds especially being prolific in their soporific 

 powers. This species of darnel grows wild in 

 many parts of England in fields among wheat 

 and barley, and flowers early in July ; it varies 

 greatly in appearance so as sometimes to be con- 

 founded with rye grass, LoUum peren7ie^ which is 

 a useful and wholesome fodder. Many undoubted 

 cases of injurious consequences following from 

 eating bread in which the seed of the darnel 

 has been ground up with corn are on record. 

 It is stated in the Medical and Surgical Journal 

 that about eighty persons in the poor-house at 

 Sheffield, after breakfasting on oatmeal porridge, 

 in which it appears that the seeds of the darnel 

 had been ground, were seized with the usual 



