33 



In cattle, the symptons observed one hour after eating are restlessness, 

 salivation, and grinding of the teeth. Excitement and colic are followed 

 sometimes by coughing, this state lasting from five to eight hours. There 

 is then a period of coma, characterized by permanent decubitus, repeated 

 f cetid diarrhoea, hurried and plaintive respiration, accelerated and gradually 

 weakening pulse, a gradual loss of motor and sensory powers, and a pro- 

 gressive decline in temperature. Death occurs in twenty-four hours. 



In the case of pigs, the animal grunts, lies down and remains thus, 

 with its snout embedded in the straw. There is vomiting, more or less 

 violent colic and diarrhoea, the evacuation consisting of bad-smelling, 

 spumous faecal matter. At times there are clonic contractions. Young 

 pigs are most susceptible. (H. C. Long.) 



REMEDY AND MEANS OF CONTROL: Weed out corn cockle before or 

 not later than the first appearance of the purple flowers. Badly infested 

 areas may be sprayed with copper or iron sulphate when the plants are in 

 bloom to prevent the production of seeds. 



SOAPWORT. (Saponaria officinalis L.) PINK FAMILY. 



The soapwort or bouncing bet is a coarse, rather showy perennial 

 plant, with large clusters of pale rose-coloured flowers, sometimes double, 

 which is common along roadsides, in old gardens and neglected places, 

 having been introduced from Europe in garden seeds. It is in bloom from 

 July to September or later. The juice of the plant, when stirred in water 

 forms a froth like soapsuds, and has been used for sponging cloth. The 

 whole plant, especially the root, contains the poisonous glucosidal substance 

 saponin. No cases of poisoning have been recorded, probably due to the 

 fact that animals avoid the plant and other nourishing food is abundant 

 at the time. The saponin substances dissolve the blood corpuscles of all 

 animals, causing stupefaction and paralysis, with vomiting and purging. 



COW-COCKLE OR COW-HERB. (Saponaria Vaccaria L.). (Vaccaria 

 Vaccaria Britton). PINK FAMILY. 



PLATE XIII. 



The annual cow-cockle is closely related to the soapwort and the 

 purple cockle. Like the soapwort it has smooth leaves and pink flowers, 

 but the flowers are a brighter pink, smaller and on longer stalks. The 

 plant contains saponin. It has been introduced from Europe, and is com- 

 mon in wheat fields in the West. The seeds, which are regarded as poisonous 

 are common in wheat screenings. They are slightly smaller than those of 

 purple cockle, reddish brown, round, with a flat band around the middle. 



