66 Thymelaceae, Euipliorhiacese [ch. 



According to Miiller there is inflammation of the stomach and 

 intestines (with colic, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, passing of blood), 

 inflammation of the kidneys (with strangury, bloody urination), and 

 in many cases nervous symptoms (weakness, giddiness, and convulsions). 



In a case observed by Lander, in the horse, there was abdominal 

 pain, staggering gait, anxious countenance, laboured breathing, pulse 

 80, temperature 103-2° F., bowels normal. On the following day there 

 was excessive purgation, pulse 120, temperature 104-2° F., and death 

 occurred at mid-day. 



REFERENCES. 

 73, 76, 81, 130, 141, 170, 190, 203, 213, 216, 240. 



EUPHORBIACEiE. 



Spurges {Ewphorhia sp.). Many species of Spurge must be regarded 

 as acrid, purgative, and poisonous. Live stock are not likely to touch 

 them, owing to the acrid effect of the milky juice on the mouth. 



The Caper Spurge {E. Latliyris L.) contains an acrid, emetic, and 

 highly purgative milky juice, and the fruits have commonly been 

 employed by country folk as a purge, and also as a pickle, though they 

 are dangerous and should not be so used. Pratt records a case in which 

 five women ate the pickled fruits with boiled mutton, and all suffered 

 severe pain and burning in the stomach, and showed other symptoms 

 attendant on irritant poisoning — ^and though all recovered the illness 

 was severe. Used in this manner, indeed, they have given rise to 

 serious cases of human poisoning. Only very young animals are said 

 to eat it, but cattle in the United States are said to be "quite resistant 

 to its influence, but they are sometimes overcome." According to 

 Chesnut goats eat this plant extensively, and it is said that their milk 

 then possesses all the venomous properties. 



Petty Spurge {E. Peplus L.) is somewhat similar to the Caper Spurge 

 in poisonous properties, and fatal poisoning has occurred through a boy 

 eating it. 



Sun Spurge {E. Helioscopia L.) is similarly poisonous to the pre- 

 ceding species. It has caused fatal poisoning to a boy who ate it. In 

 Germany cows were poisoned through pasturing in stubble in which 

 the plant was growing, but there were no deaths. 



Toxic Principles. The milky juice of these spurges contains highly 

 acrid poisonous substances, which have not been individually and fully 

 investigated. Drying may reduce the toxicity but does not eliminate it. 



