POISONOUS PROPERTIES OF THE WHORLED MILKWEED. 11 



At 7.23 a. m. it was down, throwing itself about spasmodically. 

 The pupils were dilated and the animal was somewhat bloated. 

 Opisthotonos was pronounced. The temperature at 6.40 a. m. was 

 101° F., and at T.33 a. m. 103.4° F. At 8.02 a. m. running move- 

 ments of the legs commenced. During most of the day and through- 

 out the night following the condition of the animal did not change in 

 any marked degree. It had mild spasms, accompanied by convulsive 

 movements of the head and jaws. At times there was distinct 

 trembling. Much of the time there was a good deal of bloat. Run- 

 ning movements occurred at times. The pulse was weak and the 

 temperature at 2.10 p. m., and at 10.15 was as high as 105° F. The 

 general condition was much like a mild case of Asclepias galioides 

 poisoning. At no time were the spasms of a violent character; 

 generally speaking, there was some correlation between the bloating 

 and the spasmodic movements. 



During the forenoon of July 23 it was more quiet than on the 

 preceding day, but it still groaned, had a weak pulse, and at 9.35 

 a. m. the temperature was 104° F. At noon, while the pulse was 

 still rapid, it was strong. ' During the afternoon the sheep drank 

 water and became more quiet, though it was still bloated. 



During the forenoon of July 24 the pulse varied, being weak at 

 times, but on the whole showed improvement. The sheep attempted 

 to eat at 9.35 a. m. It remained down until 2.30 p. m., when it got 

 on its feet. 



On July 25, while still much depressed, the sheep was improving 

 steadily and both ate and drank. The temperature was normal, but 

 the pulse, while strong, was still rapid. By the night of July 26 

 the sheep's condition was normal. It was kept under observation 

 on July 27, and was turned into pasture on July 28. 



SYMPTOMS. 



Of the three sheep poisoned by Asclepias verticillata var. geyeri, 

 two, Sheep 482 and Sheep 523, were sick, and one, Sheep 473, was very 

 sick. Both Sheep 482 and Sheep 523 staggered and showed general 

 weakness, which, in the case of Sheep 482, was more pronounced in 

 the hind legs. In this animal the respiration was labored and in 

 Sheep 523 a weak pulse was noted. 



In the case of Sheep 473 all the typical symptoms of Asclepias 

 galioides were noted, including weakness, especially marked in the 

 hind legs, staggering, weak and rapid pulse, labored respiration 

 (the expirations accompanied with groans), dilated pupils, elevated 

 temperature, bloating, spasms with opisthotonos, and running move- 

 ments. Spasmodic movements of the mandibles in a chewing move- 

 ment were very noticeable. 



