22 



they were grazing." It was proved by the United States Department of 

 Agriculture that cattle and horses were also poisoned by zygadenus, but 

 under ordinary conditions they did not consume sufficient quantity to 

 cause death. The "fatalities were almost entirely confined to sheep." 



SYMPTOMS: According to Chesnut and Wilcox, the first signs of poison- 

 ing are "a certain uneasiness and irregularity in the movements of the 

 sheep. These irregularities rapidly become more and more pronounced, 

 accompanied by inco-ordination of the muscular movements, spasms and 

 rapid breathing. Although sheep are highly excited under the influence 

 of zygadenus poisoning, the cerebral symptoms seldom constitute a con- 

 dition of frenzy. It was readily observed that until a few minutes before 

 death, ewes were able to recognize their lambs, and indicate in other ways 

 that they were not in any sense crazed. The later symptoms were thox- 

 of complete motor paralysis, combined with an exceedingly rapid and 

 sharp breathing and a frequent weak pulse. The duration of these different 

 stages of poisoning varies to a considerable extent, and depends entirely 

 upon the amount of death camas which the sheep have eaten." 



The principal symptoms are given by Marsh and Clawson as "sali- 

 vation, nausea, muscular weakness, coma, and sometimes attacks of 

 d3spnoea." 



In general, the symptoms in horses and cattle are similar to those 

 shown by sheep. 



REMEDY AND MEANS OF CONTROL: Medical remedies have been found 

 of little use, as most of the cases are discovered too late for treatment. 

 Rest and quiet are recommended. To prevent loss, it is important to 

 recognize the plant and to avoid pasturing sheep upon it. Hargrave, 

 however, has obtained good results by the use of permanganate of potash 

 and aluminum sulphate administered in the very early stages of poisoning. 

 He says "that for some years past sheepmen in the Walsh District. 

 Alberta, have looked upon potassium permanganate and aluminum 

 sulphate as almost specific in sheep poisoned with this plant, and, especially 

 in cases recognized early, recovery follows in every instance. Some year- 

 ago the plant was so plentiful over the range that sheep herders were kept 

 supplied with powders containing five grains of each, and carried with 

 them a pint bottle so that on recognizing any sheep showing effects of 

 poisoning, they at once dissolved the powder in a bottleful of water and 

 immediately administered it as a drench. Very rarely was it necessary 

 to administer the second dose." 



In restricted areas, the weed may be exterminated by putting the 

 land under cultivation for a time. After the spring rains, when the ground 

 is soft, the bulbs may be readily pulled, and where the weed is less abundant 

 it would be well worth while to incur the expense of hand-pulling. 



