42 HAY AND FODDER. 



In October, 1898, a snow storm covered the grass, and 

 out of a band of 2,500 sheep, 1,150 died from eating the 

 Lupines. During the winter of 1898-99 about 7,000 sheep 

 in Montana were poisoned by Lupine hay, and of these 

 over 3,600 died. Many more cases of a similar nature 

 are recorded, and the evidence leaves no room for doubt 

 as to the cause of death. In all cases the Lupines eaten 

 bore pods containing mature or nearly mature seed. 



The experiments of Marsh, Clawson and Marsh, taken 

 along with those of other investigators, have established 

 the fact that poisoning in this country is due almost ex- 

 clusively to alkaloids, which are contained in all parts of 

 the plant, but are more abundant in the seed. The toxic 

 dose of these alkaloids is very nearly as large as the fatal 

 dose, and smaller quantities have little or no effect on the 

 animals. It thus happens that Lupines and Lupine hay 

 containing no seeds may be wholesome and satisfactory 

 as a feed, while plants with full pods are deadly poison. 

 It has been established that the poison acts on horses, pigs, 

 goats and cattle, as well as sheep. Cattle on the range 

 usually leave the pods and so are rarely poisoned, but 

 sheep eat them greedily. 



The general symptoms of poisoning in the early stages 

 are cerebral congestion and great excitement: in experi- 

 Symptoms men ^ s w ^ n sheep this showed itself by their 

 rushing about and butting and pushing. Later 

 the movements become irregular and incoordinated, with 

 spasms and falling fits. When the animal can no longer 

 stay on its feet, convulsions like those caused by strych- 

 nin are often evident. The excretions of the kidneys are 

 increased and are sometimes bloody. The immediate 

 cause of death is usually respiratory paralysis, which or- 

 dinarily ensues in a half to one and a half hours. Some- 



