CICUTA, OR WATER HEMLOCK. 21 



Krause, 1837, describes a case of poisoning of horses and gave 

 details of some experimental work which seemed to corroborate the 

 correctness of his diagnosis. 



Oeltze, 1837, and Scholler, 1853, give specific instances of the 

 poisoning of swine. 



It has been repeatedly stated in literature that sheep and goats are 

 not affected; where this statement originated is not clear. 



BuUiard, 1784, page 99, says that goats eat Cicnta without harm. 

 Gray, 1821, page 508, says that it is poisonous to mankind and kine, 

 but not to horses, sheep, or goats. 



Rafinesque, 1828, page 109, states that "sheep and goats eat them 

 [Cicuta plants] with impunity, and even cattle do not appear injured 

 by them when mixed with hay." 



Kunkel, 1901, page 935, says that goats and swine are not poisoned, 

 but that horses and aU carnivorous animals are very susceptible. 



Instances of the poisoning of swine are so specific and given in such 

 detail that we can hardly question their accuracy. 



Chesnut, 1901, and Chesnut and Wilcox, 1901, tell of cases of poison- 

 ing of sheep in Montana, and the experimental work of the Mount 

 Carbon Station, already detailed, gives conclusive evidence that sheep 

 are affected by Cicuta. 



In regard to goats there appears to be no record of definite cases. 

 It does not seem very probable, however, that these animals are 

 immune to Cicuta poisoning. 



It will appear later in this paper that Cicuta tops are not poisonous 

 or do not possess enough of the poisonous principle to affect cattle and 

 sheep, and it seems possible that the stories of the immunity of goats 

 may have arisen from cases in" which the tops only were eaten and no 

 harmful results followed. 



WATER POISONED BY CICUTA ROOTS. 



Gadd, 1774, related in some detail a case of poisoning of cattle from 

 drinking water in which were Cicuta roots. Since that time a num- 

 ber of authors have made the statement that cattle trampling the 

 roots along bodies of water from which they drink have rendered the 

 water poisonous. While this may be possible, the evidence does not 

 seem very conclusive. 



THE PART OF THE PLANT WHICH IS POISONOUS. 



There seems to have been some difference of opinion as to whether 

 or not the whole plant of Cicuta is poisonous. There is a general 

 consensus in regard to the toxic properties of the root, but authori- 

 ties are contradictory in their statements about the stems and leaves. 



Gadd, 1774, states that the poison is mostly in the root and lower 

 leaves. 



