n] Cruciferx, Garyophyllacese 19 



Garlic Mustard (Alliaria officinalis Aadrz.) and Treacle Mustard 

 {Erysimum cheiranthoides L.). The seeds are stated to have properties 

 similar to Brassica Sinapistrum (p. 18) owing to a pungent oil; and 

 when eaten in quantity to induce poisoning, inflammation of the diges- 

 tive tract and of the kidneys, as well as nervous symptoms (Miiller). 



CABYOPHYLLACE^. 



Soapwort {SapoTiaria officinalis L.). This plant is more or less 

 poisonous, but is rarely, if ever, eaten by stock, and no recorded case of 

 the poisomng of stock has been met with. 



Toxic Principle. The whole plant, especially the root, contains the 

 poisonous ghicosidal Saponin (CigHggOio)*, a peculiar substance which 

 causes intense frothing when stirred in water. 



Symptoms. No symptoms of animal poisoning by the plant are 

 recorded, but the action of Saponin in the blood stream is to iaduce 

 dissolution of the red cells, with stupefaction and paralysis, as in the 

 kiUing of fish by poisoning. It also causes vomiting and purging. 

 Taken by the mouth it causes inflammation of the alimentary tract, 

 the contents of which are foetid and mixed with blood. 



REFERENCES. 

 16, 63, 76, 81, 203, 235. 



Com Coekle {Agrostemma Githago L.). This weU-known plant of 

 corn-fields must be regarded as poisonous, though experiments and 

 reports as to its effects on the different classes of live stock vary widely. 

 Though a poisonous principle is foimd in nearly aU parts of the plant, 

 the plant in the green state appears to be innocuous, and is in any case 

 rarely likely to be eaten fresh by stock, which probably refuse it on 

 account of its hairy character. The seeds, however, are by no means 

 harmless. They are rather large, and somewhat troublesome to separate 

 from cereal grains. When groimd up with wheat they both discolour 

 the flour and impart a grey tint and disagreeable odour to bread made 

 from it. Ftirther, flour containing a considerable quantity of cockle 

 must, owing to the poisonous character of the latter, be held to be unfit 

 for consumption. Fatal results have followed the use of bread contain- 

 ing Com Cockle. The toxic principle therefore is not destroyed by 

 heating, even in an oven in baking. 



