poisons. 139 



dried clippings of the yew-tree are now and then 

 picked np and devoured by horses. This distinction 

 should be well remembered when any case of sup- 

 posed poisoning by yew occurs. The horse may 

 often graze without danger, although there are yew- 

 trees about ; or although the field may be surrounded 

 by a yew-hedge. Natural instinct will teach him to 

 avoid that which would be hurtful; but when the 

 clippings are dried, the smell of the yew is consider- 

 ably changed, and danger naturally results. 



The principal symptom of this kind of poisoning 

 is a strange sort of drowsiness. The horse stands, 

 propped up by a gate or wall, with his head hanging 

 down almost to the ground ; and he is regardless or 

 unconscious of every thing around him. At other 

 times he lies down, breathing loudly and hardly ; and 

 is with difficulty roused to momentary attention, while 

 it is almost impossible to make him rise. In this way 

 he sleeps 'or dozes on, until slight convulsions occur, 

 when he may die suddenly. 



The nature of the poison having been ascertained, 

 with this knowledge, likewise, comes the fact, that no 

 known antidote has yet been discovered for this vege- 

 table poison. It is, however, powerfully narcotic in 

 its action ; and consequently the following measures 

 are indicated : to keep the animal constantly upon 

 the move ; never to allow him to rest till the potency 

 of the poison has been overcome ; to administer stimu- 

 lants of the most active kind; such as ammonia in 

 solution* ether likewise dissolved; spirits of turpen- 

 tine ; strong ale, and even pepper. 



The Mayweed (a species of wild camomile, Anthe- 



