16 Kanunculaceae, Papaveracese [ch. 



contraction of the muscles in the inferior cervical region, the hyoid 

 and the abdomen; an increased sensibility; repeated evacuations; 

 at first congestion, then great paleness of the mucous membranes; 

 diminution in the volume of the arteries; faint whinnyings at the 

 moment of the contraction of the muscles of the neck, shoulders and 

 stomach; muscular rigidity of the posterior limbs; uncertain gait; 

 laboured breathing; and finally paralysis of motion, respiration and 

 senses. 



Lander in giving similar symptoms for the horse notices also choking 

 movements of the oesophagus, eructation of frothy matter, dilatation 

 of pupils and low temperature. 



Kaufmann gives the poisonous doses of powdered root for the horse 

 and dog as 13 to 14 oz. and \ oz. respectively. 



REFEEENCJES. 

 4, 16, 63, 78, 81, 128, 130, 153, 161, 170, 203, 206, 213, 233. 



PAFAVEBACEiE. 



Poppies {Palaver sp.). Poisoning by the two common poppies 

 (P. Rhoeas L. and P. dubium L.) is not common, but Comevin says that 

 the former is poisonous in all its parts, and sufficiently so to cause acci- 

 dents every year. Animals may be affected by eating the plant when 

 mixed with green fodder, or by ingesting the seeds and capsules with 

 waste material after the winnowing and grading of cereals. Stock 

 however, will most likely reject the plants, owing to their unpleasant 

 odour and taste, but cattle have been poisoned by eating unripe heads 

 of P. Rhoeas when the plant was mixed with clover and sainfoin. 

 P. dubium has caused poisoning of horses, cattle and pigs. 



Toxic Principle. Both species contain the alkaloids Morphine 

 (C17H19NO3) and Rheadine (CgiHgiNOj), which are present in the milky 

 juice of the plant. The latter, which was isolated by Hesse, is believed 

 to have no narcotic effects. The toxic principle is not destroyed by 

 heating, and the plant is therefore poisonous both in the green state 

 and when dried in hay. 



Symptoms. It is remarked by Comevin that cattle poisoned by 

 P. Rhoeas at first exhibit symptoms of excitement, shown by continual 

 movement, by pawing of the soil or litter, increased respiration and more 

 rapid pulse; this is foUowed by stoppage of the digestive functions, 

 sometimes a little swelling of the eyelids, and coma, one affected animal 



