66 Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station. Bulletin No. 112 



PART II. PHYSIOLOGICAL. 



BY E. H. LEHNERT. 



How THE POISON ACTS. 



From experiments carried on with extracts and other 

 preparations from this plant, our observations ; both before and 

 after death have led to a few definite conclusions. When 

 sufficient poison to cause death is introduced into the system, 

 whether through the stomach or intravenously, it acts quickly, 

 that is it is quickly absorbed, and very soon produces symp- 

 toms of paralysis, by its action on the nervous system; the 

 action of the heart is also interfered with, and the poison no 

 doubt kills by acting on this organ. When the poison is ad- 

 ministered by the stomach, postmortem examination shows 

 that digestion is stopped immediately, as invariably this organ 

 remains full of food, indicating that the poison is quickly 

 absorbed from the stomach and that the stomach is paralyzed. 



REMEDIES AND METHODS OF TREATMENT. 



Attempts at determining an antidote for the poison were 

 made, and, although few in number, certain conclusions have 

 been reached. Thus far no chemical antidote has been ob- 

 tained, but from the obvious action of the poison on the heart 

 and nervous system as a depressant, antidotes of a physiolog- 

 ical nature would be those that stimulate these organs, such 

 as alcohol, ammonia, strychnine, nitro-glycerine, and digitalis, 

 belladonna or atropine. In our experiments we were able to 

 counteract the poison for a considerable time, although in no 

 case were we able entirely to neutralize its action. It appears, 

 however, very probable that the remedies mentioned should 

 prove very valuable where the amount of poison taken into the 

 system is not too great. 



In the administration of remedies in case of poisoning, 

 the following doses and methods would apply : Immediately 

 give to full-grown animal (cow), as a drench, i to 2 Ibs. of 



