12 Ranunculacem [ch. 



possible, falling-ofE in milk yield in cows, nervous symptoms, reduction 

 in pulse, and stertorous respiration, dilation of the pupils, enfeebled 

 condition, difficult mastication, spasmodic movements of the ears, 

 lips, etc., — followed in serious cases by convulsions, sinking of the eye 

 in its socket, possibly stoppage, and death in 6 to 12 hours after con- 

 vulsions first appeared. 



In the horse symptoms substantially similar to the above have been 

 recorded (Lander). 



In cows. Pott records hsematuria, and reddish or bitter milk. 



Sheef after eating R. reopens have been noticed to fall suddenly in the 

 field; their eyes rolled, and some animals showed dizziness, and died 

 with the head inclined over the left flank (Lander). 



REFERENCES. 

 47, 63, 81, 112, 130, 140, 145, 170, 203, 204, 205, 213, 233, 235. 



Marsh Marigold or King-Cup {Caltha palustris L.). Like the 

 species of Ranunculus, the Marsh Marigold is to some extent poisonous 

 in character, and both animals and man have suffered. Cattle have 

 died from eating it, and Miiller records the poisoning of many horses, 

 one of which died. In general, animals refuse it, but may possibly eat 

 it when pressed with hunger in times of scarcity of green herbage. 

 Cornevin states that it has little or no acrid properties when very young, 

 but that it is toxic by the time of flowering — acridity increasing with age. 



Toxic Principle. The toxic character of the Marsh Marigold has 

 not been fully investigated, though the presence of an alkaloid has been 

 determined, and A. B. Smith states that the toxic properties are due 

 to the alkaloid Jervine (C26H37O3N2H2O) and the glucoside Helleborin 

 (C3gH4206). On drying — e.g. in hay — the plant becomes harmless, as in 

 the case of most species of Ranunculus. 



Symptoms. Cornevin records that cattle have died from inflamma- 

 tion of the digestive tract, and gives the symptoms as those of Ranun- 

 culus poisoning. There seem to be digestive troubles, diarrhoea, and 

 loss of milk production, even (according to Rusby) when fed with hay. 

 In the horse, there is colic, bloating, and inflammation of the bladder, 

 while the urine is dark red. According to Cornevin, the symptoms are 

 similar to those produced by Ranunculus sp. Pammel quotes Fried- 

 berger and Frohner as stating that the plant causes hsematuria. Five 

 persons who ate it as a herb were "seized with violent sickness and pain 



