10 



four recovered, and the balance (four) did not take the disease.' The 

 horses attacked are usually those that receive the minimum amount of 

 care, but well-cared-for, greedy horses may contract the disease through 

 eating their bedding, which often consists of bracken which has been left 

 in their mangers." Hadwen also reports the poisoning of two horses from 

 eating green bracken in a pasture where other vegetation was scarce. One 

 of the horses died. Chesnut and Wilcox (1901) state that "Cases of 

 poisoning of horses and cattle by this plant have been reported from 

 England and from a few localities in the United States." Pott also refers 

 to the poisoning of cattle by eating bracken in quantity. Stockman (1917) 

 experimented with a bull-calf by feeding it freshly cut bracken for a period 

 of twenty-nine days. The calf was found dead on the thirtieth day. 



SYMPTOMS: The first general signs of poisoning as given by Hachvcn 

 are, an unsteady gait, good appetite, animal inclined to constipation, eye 

 congested, flanks tucked up, nervousness. In the later stages if the head 

 is raised the horse may fall. It stands with the legs spread, and has a 

 distinctly intoxicated look. Greedy horses are most liable to attack. 



Mueller, in reference to fatal poisoning among horses, gives the symp- 

 toms as timidity, slower movement or action, loss of balance, dilated pupils, 

 reddening followed by yellowing of the conjunctive, and slowing of the 

 pulse. 



REMEDY AND MEANS OF CONTROL: In all cases of poisoning, profes- 

 sional advice should be obtained. The treatment recommended by Hadwen 

 to the farmer who is unable to obtain such aid is as follows: First remove 

 all ferny hay and bedding. Give a quart of raw linseed oil, taking especial 

 care that none falls into the lungs. Give good clean hay, warm bran 

 mashes, and roots. The horse should be kept as quiet as possible, owing 

 to its nervous excitability. Warmth is of aid in combatting the affection, 

 whilst a cold, draughty stable tends to lower the vitality. 



Ploughing and manuring is one of the best methods of exterminating 

 bracken. The deep-lying rootstocks will not all be destroyed the first 

 year, but after two or three years of thorough cultivation, very few if any 

 will be found. 



On steep hillsides and pastures where tillage would be out of the 

 question, cutting the green tops off will in time starve the rootstocks, 

 particularly if a good dressing of lime is applied to the soil immediately 

 after the cutting. The lime serves as a check to the bracken and also as 

 an encouragement to the growth of grasses. In regard to the best time 

 for cutting, Thomas Tusser wrote in 1557: 



" In June and in August, as well doth appeere 

 Is best to mowe Brakes of all times of the yeere." 



