FERN FAMILY. 35 



In rare cases horses have been known to show similar 

 symptoms from eating Bracken in pastures. Except in 

 the case of very greedy animals, they will not eat the 

 fern either in hay or pasture if a proper amount of or- 

 dinary feed is provided. 



Drs. Hadwen and Bruce refer to the treatment recom- 

 mended by Dr. S. F. Tolmie of Victoria, late Dominion 

 Minister of Agriculture, who has had a great 



ireatment , , ,. . .,, , lirt 



deal of experience with such cases: Remove 

 all ferny hay and bedding. Administer a good brisk pur- 

 gative, such as Barbados aloes seven drachms, calomel 

 one drachm and ginger one drachm. Half-ounce doses 

 of potassium bromide twice a day in the feed or drink- 

 ing water. One or two drachms of potassium iodide 

 three times a day is recommended. Give medicine in the 

 feed or drinking water or with a syringe. Feed laxative 

 food such as bran mash and carrots. Give enemas if 

 necessary. When animal is very groggy place in slings 

 with extreme care, avoiding excitement as much as pos- 

 sible. ... In some cases cold packs to the head are re- 

 commended." In certain remarks for the farmer who 

 is unable to secure professional aid, the importance of a 

 warm, quiet stable and of guarding against excitement 

 is emphasized, and as an alternative purgative a quart 

 of raw linseed oil recommended. 



The Bracken is of wide distribution, growing under a 



variety of soil conditions, in both hemispheres. Its 



slender, glossy, dark-coloured, underground 



Description s i em f orms a tough mat exposed on plough- 



The Plant * ng ^ut " De ^ ow ^ ne ^ eve ^ ^ ^ e rass roots. It 

 gives off at intervals rigid erect stalks, two 

 to four feet high, bearing at their summits broad branch- 

 ing fronds. The firm, upright, rigid character of the leaf 



