18 Cruciferm [ch. 



CRUCIFER^. 



Charlock {Brassica Sinapistrum Boiss.), also known as B. Sinapis 

 Visiani and Sinapis arvensis L,, may be regarded as harmless in the 

 young state, but liable to cause injury after flowering, when the 

 seeds have formed, when it may occasion serious accidents if eaten by 

 live stock. A case in which rape cake containing the seeds of charlock 

 caused poisoning was recorded in 1875 {Jour. Roy. Agric. Soc). The 

 seeds only are dangerous. 



Toxic Principle. The seeds contain minute quantities of volatile 

 Oil of Mustard or Allyl-isothiocyanate (C3H5NCS), the alkaloid Sinapine 

 (CigHasNOj), and the alkaloidal glucoside Sinalbin. 



Symptoyns. Ingestion of the seeds may cause inflammation of the 

 stomach and intestines (with loss of appetite, wind, coUc, and diarrhoea) ; 

 inflammation of kidneys (difficult, excessive or bloody urination) ; and 

 nervous symptoms, with great exhaustion, uncertain gait, paralysis of 

 limbs and in isolated cases convulsions (Miiller). 



Pott also records increased salivation. 



In the horse Cornevin records great depression, difficult and ac- 

 celerated respiration, yellowish mucus and convulsive cough. A 

 characteristic symptom is the emission of frothy Uquid through the 

 nostrils (as much as 10 litres in one hour). Death often occurs from 

 asphyxia in a fit of coughing. 



In cattle, cake containing the seeds caused inflammation of the 

 intestines, exhausting diarrhoea, and unquenchable thirst. 



The cultivated Mustards may induce similar effects, and Lander 

 records the following symptoms as caused by Brassica nigra: — In the 

 horse, bronchial symptoms, marked by difficulty in breathing and the 

 discharge of great quantities of yellowish frothy matter from the nose; 

 in cattle, uneasiness, restlessness and intense colic, with frantic rushing 

 about and mania, ending in exhaustion, falling, struggles and collapse; 

 in a recent case there were dullness, coldness, some tympany, laboured 

 respiration, staggering and falhng, and in fatal cases, immobility and 

 a semi-comatose condition. 



REFERENCES. 

 4, 16, 63, 76, 127, 170, 190, 205, 213. 219. 



Wild Radish {Raphanus Raphanistrum L.). As in the case of 

 charlock, the seeds of wild radish are very acrid, and susceptible of intro- 

 ducing intestinal troubles if eaten by animals when mixed with cereals. 



