POISONS AND POISONING. 67 



plant grows on high, gravelly, or sandy soil. It has a rather 

 attractiA'e appearance, and retains its soft, pale green color all winter. 

 Of one of the most common species {Astragalus mollissijnus) it 

 may be said that 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, and are yellow tinted with 

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

 It is said that 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 loco weeds, 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 con- 

 siderable quantity has been eaten. It seems to exert its influence on 

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

 the eyes glassy and staring, the vision defective. Sudden excitement 

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

 advanced, have a temporarilj^ 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 to other food. 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. 



Treatment. — Medicinal treatment seems to be of little avail. Com- 

 fortable stabling, quiet, and a liberal supply of wholesome food tend 

 to counteract the poisonous effect of the plant and build up the 

 depleted forces. 



Laurel poisoning. — The mountain laurel, the rhododendron, and 

 the bay tree are poisonous for cattle. The foliage of these plants is 

 most likely to be eaten in the late winter or spring, when there is 

 little forage available. The effect is to cause great mental excite- 

 ment, salivation, retching, colic, diarrhea, nerve exhaustion, and 

 paralysis. 



Treatm-ent. — The treatment consists in administering protectives to 

 soothe the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, and stimulants to keep 

 up the action of the heart and general strength. For this purpose 

 one may use coffee, whisky, or ammonia. 



Other poisonous plants. — Other poisonous plants are the box, 

 water hemlock, equisetum, lupine (under special conditions), tobacco, 

 green acorns (when eaten in excessive quantities by horses or cattle), 



