190 VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



and remarks that steeping in boiling water withdraws the 

 essential oil, and renders the cake harmless. 



Cochlearia arnwrica, or horse-radish, has been held re- 

 sponsible for poisoning in England, ^'^'^ but is not reckoned 

 amongst the poisonous plants by the Continental autho- 

 rities. Since it also yields allyl sulphocyanide, there 

 seems little doubt that it might equally with mustard prove 

 dangerous. 



W. E. Litt * observed in cattle : wildness, lowing, excite- 

 ment, and rushing about, recalling the symptoms noted 

 by the earlier observers on mustard. Thereafter, in con- 

 formity with Eoub's observations, he noted collapse and 

 coldness, with low pulse and staring eyes. 



It appears most likely that the nervous symptoms here, 

 as in so many cases, are due to exhaustion, and not to any 

 specific action of the active principles. 



Comparable with the poisoning by mustard is that ob- 

 served by Goldsmith,^ in which onion was the cause. 

 He remarked that cows, after eating freely of onions in a 

 cart, some of which were sprouting, and others decayed, 

 displayed severe colic. Some were constipated, others 

 slightly purged, and in i one case there was vomition. In 

 the worst case there was severe constipation, staggering, 

 tenderness in the loins, temperature 103° F., and the dark- 

 coloured urine smelt of onions. 



Post-MoFtem Appearances. — The prominent lesions in 

 these cases were inflammation of the oesophagus and 

 trachea, and less characteristic inflammation of the rumen, 

 and patchy inflammation of the intestines. Eoub (loc. cit.) 

 found the abdominal cavity and bladder to contain abundant 

 yellow fluid, smelling of mustard. In the onion case the 

 viscera all smelt strongly of onions. 



Treatment. — Eoub gave Impounds Glauber's salt, followed 

 by 1 pound every twelve hours till purgation resulted, and as 

 stimulants nux vomica and spirits oi nitre. Change of diet, 

 oleaginous purgatives, and stimulants are indicated. 



Chemical Diagnosis. — Mustard oil is volatile from 

 neutral or acid media in a current of steam. It is thus 



