26 Papilionacex [ch. 



symptoms of excitement may be present alone if only a small quantity 

 is eaten ; the duration of the symptoms in this case is never considerable, 

 and the normal is gradually regained. In general, however, the symp- 

 toms are associated in pairs ; thus when an average quantity is fed there 

 is excitement and coma but wo convulsions ; when large quantities are 

 fed the first stage is suppressed or is so short as to be almost imperceptible, 

 the coma and convTilsions being present simultaneously. As regards 

 temperature, there is, in stage (1) a rise, in stage (2) a drop, and in stage 

 (3) a rise again near death. In stages (2) and (3) there is a slackening 

 of respiration, the arterial tension is raised, there is an increase in the 

 number of pulsations and a modification of the rhythm. In stage (3) 

 near death there is a lowering of the arterial tension, and the pulsations 

 become gradually less perceptible, but with a uniform rhythm ; there 

 is a slackening in respiration, and by the time this finally ceases the heart 

 beats have become imperceptible. 



When horses, asses or mules have eaten a small quantity of the seeds 

 or leaves, there is simply yawning and uncertain gait, these symptoms 

 lasting for two hours, and the normal being regained after urination. 

 Considerable (but not fatal) quantities cause unsuccessful attempts at 

 vomiting, sometimes opisthotonos in asses, sweating, muscular tremors, 

 and then a deep coma which may last 15 hours. Fatal quantities cause 

 yawning, sexual excitement, accelerated and noisy respiration, wheezing, 

 muscular tremors followed by contractions which commence in the 

 posterior Kmbs and spread to the anterior limbs, facial contractions, 

 staggering and copious sweating. A rapid faU in temperature follows, 

 but there is a slight rise during the period of convulsions ; the pulse is 

 at first qtiicker and stronger, but the number of beats rapidly comes 

 back to the normal, to rise again shortly before death ; the rhythm of 

 the pulse is at first regular (in groups of 2, 3 or 4) but becomes irregular 

 again just before death. The animal at length falls, and cannot get up, 

 the nostrils are distended, the mouth is wide open, respiration becomes 

 gradually slower, and death takes place in great agony. 



In eases of poisoning of horses and asses noticed by Pott animals 

 that could not vomit died very quickly. The symptoms were excitement, 

 nausea, coma, slower breathing, convulsions, paralysis of the motor 

 nerves, and finally cessation of the action of lungs and heart. 



Ruminants are much less susceptible than horses. Comevin's 

 attempts at poisoning failed through their refusal of the plant. Miiller 

 observed in a case of cattle poisoning, bloating, paralysis of the limbs 

 (especially fore limbs), sleepiness, dilatation of pupils, and later saUvation, 



