POISONS AND POISONING. 73 



DIETETIC POISONS. 



A small but important group of poisons may be classed under this 

 head. The poisonous principle is a plant product and likely to find its 

 way into the stomach in the food which the animal consumes. In some 

 cases it is poison naturally belonging to the plant; in other cases the 

 poisonous principle is developed in what would otherwise be harmless 

 plants as a plant disease. 



LOCO WKED POISONING. 



The loco weed (Astragalus molUssimus) found in the natural pastures 

 of some of our Western States and Territories produces a remarkable 

 poisonous effect. The plant grows on high, gravelly or sandy soil. It 

 lias a rather attractive appearance, and retains its soft, pale green 

 color all winter. A mass of leaves 4 to 10 inches high grow from the 

 very short stem. The leaves are pinnate, similar in form to those of a 

 locust tree, with ten pairs of leaflets and an odd terminal one. The 

 flower scape grows from the center of the plant. The flowers, shaped 

 like pea blossoms, appear in June or July, are yellow tinted with violet. 

 The seeds are contained in a pod about half an inch long. Fortunately 

 a stalk-boring larva has attacked the plant and seems to be doing much 

 toward eradicating it. Horses and cattle seem to acquire a taste for 

 it, although it is not a plant that would be considered as a food or that 

 would be eaten with a relish the first time. In the early spring, when 

 herbage is scarce, its green appearance may attract the animal, and 

 the habit of eating it be thus acquired. Its effect is not noticeable till 

 a considerable quantity has been eaten. It seems to exert its influ- 

 ence on the nervous system. The gait is slow and measured, the step 

 high, the eyes glassy and staring, the vision defective. Sudden excite- 

 ment will frequently produce convulsions, which, if the disease is well 

 advanced, have a temporarily prostrating effect upon the animal. 

 Although loco poisoning is a nervous affection, emaciation is one of the 

 most noticeable symptoms. The taste for the weed becomes stronger, 

 the victim preferring it toother food until nothing else is eaten. When 

 it is taken in large quantities delirium is produced and the animal 

 becomes vicious. If the cause be removed before too much injury is 

 done, recovery is likely to take place. Medicinal treatment seems to 

 be of little avail. Comfortable stabling, quiet, and a liberal supply of 

 wholesome food tend to counteract the poisonous effect of the plant and 

 build up the depleted forces. 



KRGOTI8M. 



[Plati 



The poisonous effects of ergot have so far apjK'ared only in the winter 

 and spring of the year and among cattle. It is developed a monjj grasses 

 grown on rich soil in hot, damp seasons. Rye seems more liable to ergot 

 than any of our other crops. Of the grasses which enter into the com- 



