550 MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



to suppose that this substance would probably destroy the lupine alkaloids in the stomach 

 if administered promptly after the first signs of poisoning. In the main, however, reliance 

 should be placed upon prevention. With regard to the use of lupine hay, our experience 

 and observations indicate that this is always dangerous for sheep if cut at a time when the 

 seeds are retained in the hay. Since the limit of the period during which lupines are not 

 poisonous can not be determined for the present with any certainty, it seems advisable to 

 abandon entirely the use of lupine hay for sheep, except after a preliminary test in feeding 

 large quantities of the hay to one or two sheep. If it should prove to be non-poisonous, 

 it may then, of course, be fed with safety. 



The poisonous principle in all plants which have been fully investigated varies in 

 quantity according to the stage of growth of the plant, and is located more abundantly in 

 one part of the plant than in another. These facts seem to be strikingly true of lupine, 

 since, as already indicated, the plants are sometimes eaten in large quantities with impunity, 

 while at other times the plants cause extensive losses, especially among sheep. The evidence 

 thus far collected regarding this matter indicates that the seeds are the most poisonous part 

 of the plant. 



Mr. O'Gara of Nebraska, in speaking of the Lupine says this : 

 There are three species of Lupines in the western part of the sand-hill region and 

 throughout the foot-hills, which are worthy of attention. So far as can be learned, cattle 

 and horses either do not eat them or are not harmed by them, but sheep men say that they 

 are extremely poisonous to sheep when eaten after the pods have formed and have begun 

 to ripen. Many sheep owners are very careful to avoid patches of Lupine in driving their 

 sheep from one range to another, and never trust the flock to a green herder who is un- 

 acquainted with the range. 



The three species common to the regions mentioned are the Nebraska Lupine (Lupinus 

 Plattensis S. Wats.), the Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus Pursh.), and the Low Lupine 

 (Lupinus pusillus Pursh.). The last named is a small hairy plant four to eight inches 

 high, much branched near the root, bearing commonly five leaflets at the end of the leaf- 

 stalk. The densely clustered blue flowers are borne on a stalk four to eight inches long. 

 The pod is finely-hairy and is three-fourths to one inch long. 



Dr. Nelson conducted some experiments in poisoning from three species 

 of Lupinus : L. ornatus, L. sericeus, L. leucophyllus ; from which the following 

 results were obtained with reference to the effect of feeding quantities of these 

 plants. In regard to the first of these species, negative results were obtained 

 in part; to sheep fed as early as May 30th, June 8th, July 14th, July 31st, and 

 August 2nd, partly in the year 1898, and partly in 1901, these experiments be- 

 ing made in 1898 and 1901. In 1904 experiments were made with two sheep 

 fed between November 16th, and December 22nd, receiving 274 pounds of this 

 hay. This hay was eaten fairly well, and the sheep were given no other food 

 except the lupine, and had constant access to water. 



Some loss of flesh occurred in both sheep and one of them became affected, December 

 28th, with an attack of stomatitis with quite well developed ulcers in the mouth. He 

 practically recovered by January 1st. No other untoward symptoms were manifested 

 during the course of the experiment. 



In regard to Lupinus sericeus, the results were in part negative, but June 

 28th, 1899, a sheep was fed 2 pounds of lupine that was in full bloom and par- 

 tial fruit, gathered a few days previous. On the morning of the 29th, the sheep 

 was drowsy, and kept a recumbent position. In the afternoon the comatose con- 

 dition was more marked ; he walked with an unsteady gait and pressed his head 

 against the fence when he happened to reach it, showing a partial paralysis. 

 The animal died on June 30th, slightly bloated. 



The ventricles of the heart were partially and the auricles completely filled with a 

 black coagulated blood. The lungs were congested, the stomach filled with partially digested 

 food, otherwise apparently normal. 



The experiments with Lupinus leucophyllus were negative. 



