66 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



animal is ailing, aconite is given whether indicated or not. Fortu- 

 nately the dose used is generally small, and for this reason the dam- 

 age done is much less than it would otherwise be. Aconite is one of 

 the most deadly poisons known. It produces paralysis of motion and 

 sensation, depresses the heart's action, and causes death by paralysis 

 of respiration. In large doses it causes profuse salivation, champing 

 of the jaws, and attempts at swallowing. If not sufficient to cause 

 death, there is impaired appetite with more or less nausea for some 

 time after. In poisonous doses it causes the animal to tremble vio- 

 lently, to lose power to support itself, and it brings on slight con- 

 vulsions, with perspiration. The pulse is depressed, irregular, and 

 afterwards intermittent. 



Treatment. — The chemical antidote is tannic acid, which forms an 

 insoluble compound with the aconitin. The depressing effect on the 

 heart should be counteracted by the use of ammonia, digitalis, alcohol, 

 camphor, or other diffusible stimulants, which have a physiological 

 effect opposite to aconite. 



TURPENTINE POISONING. 



Many conifers, but especially some species of pines, contain tur- 

 pentine. In winter and early spring the ends of the branches of 

 such trees may be eaten by cattle. If a sufficient quantity is con- 

 sumed, poisoning may result. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms signify more or less severe irritation of 

 the digestive and urinary tracts. There is poor appetite, abdominal 

 pain, emaciation, dark urine, which may contain blood, difficulty in 

 passing urine, constrained attitude, and sensitiveness to pressure 

 over the loins. Later there may be excitation followed by depression 

 of the nervous system. 



Treatment. — Change food. Give linseed tea, barley gruel, or slip- 

 pery-elm bark infusion. For the excitement give chloral hydrate or 

 bromid of potash. 



DIETETIC POISONS. 



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

 head. In some cases it is poison naturally belonging to the plant; in 

 other cases the poisonous principle is developed in what would other- 

 wise be harmless plants as a plant disease, or as a fermentation or 

 putrefaction due to bacterial growth and observed in forage, grain, or 

 meal that has heated, become damaged, or " spoilt." 



Loco WEED POISONING. — The " loco weed " is a term applied to legu 

 minous plants of several genera, all of which are supposed to have 

 certain similar effects on horses and cattle. It is found on the Plains 

 and in the natural pastures of some of our Western States. The 



