CHAPTER IV 



ARALIACEiE. 



Ivy (Hedera Helix L.). The berries of the Ivy are said to be largely 

 eaten by certain birds {e.g. blackbirds, thrushes, wood-pigeons), but 

 have poisoned children. The plant has long been said to be poisonous, 

 but no definite case of poisoning of live stock has been discovered; 

 possibly farm live stock would need to eat a considerable quantity for 

 serious effects to be induced. Indeed, when keep is short, it is quite 

 common in some districts to see Ivy strewed on the fields for cattle 

 and sheep to eat, and it is very frequently given to sick animals by 

 country people (Garnett). 



Toxic Principle. This has not been closely studied, but ivy contains 

 a bitter principle which is strongly cathartic, emetic and purgative. 

 Ivy contains a poisonous glucoside Hederin (C84H104O19) and a resin 

 (Gummi hederce). 



Symptoms. As suggested above, it is doubtful whether animals 

 have been poisoned by Ivy. Symptoms given appear to refer to 

 children, and consist in sickness, diarrhoea, nervous symptoms, excite- 

 ment at first, then convulsions and paralysis (MiiUer). Sickness and 

 purgation (Esser). 



Comevin states that the symptoms are complex, emeto-purgative 

 effects being present, with nervous symptoms resembling those of 

 intoxication, viz. excitement, then coma, convulsions, uncertain gait, 

 and stertorous respiration. 



REFERENCES. 

 73, 76, 81, 130, 208, 240. 



CAPRIFOLIACE^. 



Common Elder {Samhucus nigra L.) and Dwarf Elder (S. Ebulus 

 L.). These two plants are usually avoided by stock, no doubt in view 

 of their odour, more particularly in the case of the latter species. The 

 bark, leaves and berries of both species were noticed by Comevin as 

 having pronounced purgative properties, and the berries of S. Ebulus 

 as having poisoned turkeys. Esser remarks that the use of S. Ebulus by 



