LEGUMINOSAE CROTALARIA 



r 



545 



Fig. 300a. White Lupine (Lupinus albus). A forage plant introduced from 

 the Mediterranean region. Seeds contain a bitter alkaloid. U. S. Dept. Agr. 



his appetite by a protracted fast. It is a matter of common observation that animals eat 

 it with the greatest relish in localities where it grows. Failing to induce the animal to 

 take the plant voluntarily I prepared a strong infusion, and by means of the stomach 

 pump gave the preparation obtained from about ten pounds of the plant. In twenty 

 minutes stupor began to ensue, the eyes were closed, the head was rested against the 

 side of the box, the breathing became stertorous, and all the symptoms developed that 

 were to be seen inj the patients previously examined. At the end of six hours the stupor 

 began to disappear, the eye began to regain its brightness and in another hour the horse 

 began to eat. The following day, when he had apparently recovered from its effects, he 

 was given half the quantity of the drug as on the previous day. In this instance the 

 symptoms were developed much more rapidly, the animal became unconscious in a short 

 time and died in an hour and a half. The post mortem revealed the same condition of the 

 brain as in the cases examined in the Western part of the State. I now resolved to make 

 a second experiment, in which the animal should receive a small quantity for a number 

 of days in succession. Having procured another subject for experimentation, and a 

 bushel of mature fruit, or pods of the plant, I commenced on Sept. 5th, to give daily the 

 infusion obtained from about one quart of the pods. On the fifth day of the experiment 

 the characteristic stupor came on. The animal rested its head against the box and slept 

 while standing. The symptoms grew more marked till the thirteenth day of the experi- 

 ment, when the animal died. The post mortem showed the same as in the other cases. 

 These experiments leave no doubt in my mind that the trouble along the Missouri river 

 is occasioned by the animals' feeding on this little plant. It is from eight inches to a 

 foot in height, with branching stems bearing yellow flowers in July and developing large 

 pods resembling the pea, but containing a number of black, hard seeds. It grows on 

 sandy bottom land, and is very abundant in the meadows and pastures in portions of the Missouri 

 bottom. It is seldom seen among the tame meadow grass in any considerable amount. It 

 thrives best among the wild grasses. Animals, doubtless, eat it much more than formerly, 

 when the wild pasturage was better than at present. Cattle sometimes, though not often, 

 suffer in the same way as horses. 



