206 VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



may show that we have here to deal with toxine poisoning 

 like that of the castor bean. Or it may possibly be found 

 that lathyrus lacks certain essential components, present, 

 perhaps, only in traces, but whose absence leads to disease, 

 as has been shown to be the case with polished rice in 

 giving rise to beri-beri. 



EEFEEENCES TO LATHYBISM. 



1 Abstract, Vet. Becord, 1901, p. 323. 



2 Lucet, Vet. Becord, 1898, p. 249. 



3 F. Meaohem, Vet. Jl, 1896, p. 77. 



* J. Abson, Vet. Becord, 1894, p. 159. 



5 J. P. SJidders, Vet. Becord, 1894, p. 90. 



6 G. E. King, Jl. Comp. Path., 1892, p. 371. 

 ' McCall, Veterinarian, 1886, p. 789. 



Loeoism. 



The disease of sheep and horses, well known in America 

 as loco disease, or loeoism (Spanish 'loco,' mad), is very 

 common, and causes great loss, particularly in Colorado 

 and Montana. The aetiology is obscure, but no doubt 

 remains that the disease is caused by leguminous plants, 

 mostly of the Astragalus species. The chief loco-weeds 

 incriminated are Astragalus mollissimus, woolly loco-weed, 

 especially abundant in Colorado ; Aragallus spicatus, white 

 loco-weed (Montana) ; Aragallus lambertii, stemless loco- 

 weed, in the Western States; and Astragalus splendens, 

 lagopus, and besseyi. The disease has not been associated 

 with any chemical component of the plants implicated. 



Symptoms. — Loeoism assumes the acute and chronic 

 forms. The acute disease in sheep is marked by the animal 

 becoming unmanageable, completely blind, and dizzy, 

 walking in long circles to the right, and then standing in a 

 stupor for a few moments. At the beginning of an attack 

 the head is elevated and drawn to the right. The attacks 

 become more frequent as the malady progresses. The 

 pupil is not dilated, and the expression and pulse are 

 nearly normal. Trembling fits are characteristic. Locoed 



