72 Amentacex, Conifer ae . [ch. 



Brookes and Yeomans described (Veterincvry Journal, 1912) an 

 instance in which 30 animals were affected and 9 died. The chief 

 symptoms were a dull and depressed appearance, entire absence of 

 appetite and rumination, a weak feeble pulse, subnormal temperature 

 and disinclination to move. Three cases showed a mucous and blood- 

 tinged discharge from the nostrils and anus, and these all died, one 

 eight days after being seen and the other two the day afterwards. 

 Obstinate stoppage was noticeable in all cases, and the faeces were inky 

 black, stinking and very thick. Yeomans observed similar symptoms 

 of acute digestive disturbance ; later the eyes had a sunken appearance, 

 diarrhoea set in, the faeces being dark coloured, offensive and blood- 

 stained. The temperature was at first normal and later subnormal, 

 and in fatal cases death took place in from 3 to 7 days. 



REFERENCES. 

 4, 13, 20, 26, 29, 70, 73, 130, 144, 190, 240, 255. 



CONIFEBiE. 



The only Conifer which commonly causes poisoning of live-stock is 

 the Yew, but injury might more frequently occur were it not for the fact 

 that Conifers generally are unpleasant to the taste, and are hence avoided 

 by stock. Many species, however, contain Tannin, Resins and Gums, 

 Volatile OUs, and an acrid substance which may cause inflammation of 

 the digestive and urinary tracts, while Tanret found in the young shoots 

 of Picea the bitter glucoside Piceim (CiJIigOjILfi) ; Kawalier and Thai 

 found the intensely bitter glucoside Pinipicrin (CaaHggOu) in Pinus 

 sykestris, Thvja ocddentaUs and Juniperus Sabina ; and Kubel isolated 

 Ooniferin or Abietin (CigHaaOg), a slightly bitter glucoside found in 

 Abies excelsa, A. pectinata, Pinus strobus, Larix europcea and other 

 conifers. It is not clear, however, whether these substances are at all 

 poisonous. It is quite possible that if eaten in quantity the foUage of 

 some Conifers may induce poisonous symptoms and even death in the 

 animals concerned. It is noteworthy, however, that according to Pott 

 the needles of Picea excelsa, Abies pectinata, Larix europcea, and Pinus 

 sp. are, in the mountainous districts of Steiermark, Karnten, and Tyrol, 

 extensively fed to cattle and sheep, usually as a supplementary foodi 

 either fresh or dried and ground up— chiefly perhaps as an appetiser, 

 and m small quantities as a dietetic ; Juniperus sp. are similarly utilised 

 m some districts. It is not known to what extent the foliage may be 



