FOOD AND WATER 121 



Laurel leaves are poisonous and cause losses among sheep 

 particularly. 



^Yild larkspurs have caused heavy losses of cattle and sheep, 

 especially on western ranges. 



WJiorlcd ))iilkwccd is very poisonous especially to sheep. 



^Vatcr hemlock (-wild parsnip), is poisonous to all classes of 

 stock, and of all plants likely to be eaten, is considered the most 

 dangerous. 



Loco plants are poisonous. Their damage is of slow develop- 

 ment. Horses, cattle and sheep on the western ranges are often 

 poisoned by it. This plant is peculiar among stock poisons in 

 that it creates a drug habit in stock similar to the opium habit 

 of people. 



Roots, like sugar beets and mangels, are not poisonous, but 

 when fed in excess — to sheep at least — are likely to cause seri- 

 ous derangement of the urinary organs, with formation of cal- 

 culi (stones) in the kidneys, ureters, or bladder.^ 



Water 



Water. — Water may be a factor in animal disease when it is 

 excessive or deficient in amount; when it contains bacteria, e.g. 

 the virus of glanders or of hog cholera ; or when it contains such 

 low forms of animal life as intestinal parasites for example; 

 when it has received sewage matter ; when it is very hard, when 

 it is given at improper intervals or in large quantity soon after 

 eating, or when it is given in large quantities to a very hot or 

 tired horse. 



An excessive amount of water is said to lessen the digestibility 

 of foods, increase tissue waste, and favor indigestion. 



A deficient water supply may cause impactions in cattle and 

 lessen the excretions from skin and kidneys in horses. Horses 

 need about 2 pounds and cows giving milk about 3.5 to 4 pounds 

 of water per pound of dry food, the amount varying according 

 to diet and condition of the atmosphere. Cows need much more 

 tlian horses in proportion to weight and feed, and can usually 

 be trusted to drink at tlieir own pleasure. Horses will fre- 

 quently drink too much, especially when tired or liot. 



^ Iowa Exp. Sta. Bui. 112. For detailed information concerning poison- 

 ous plants, consult "Poisonous Plants" by Paniniel; also Bulletin 20, 

 and Bulletin 57;1 — both relating to poisonous plants and published hj 

 U. S, Dcpt. Agr. Bureau of Animal Industry. 



