208 VETEEINARY TOXICOLOGY 



bosje,' according to Burtt-Davy, causes paralysis or stiffen- 

 ing of the limbs of cattle, due to laminitis. After about 

 five days the animal becomes very stiff in the joints, and 

 frequently unable to stand. The hoofs may grow until 

 they break off. According to Theiler, the plant is only 

 dangerous when fresh. Related to this is the Crotalaria 

 sagittalis, or rattle-box, of the Eastern and Central United 

 States, which causes 'crotalism,' or Missouri - bottom 

 disease, so-called from its prevalence along the Missouri 

 river-bed, and marked by loss of flesh and decline in vigour. 



The Texan Sophora secimdifiora, frijolillo, or coral bean, 

 and S. sericea, or silky sophora, of the Southern Great 

 Plains, are named as causing locoism. 



Species of Lessertia, notably L. annularis, are believed to 

 cause the South African C'Nenta disease {q.v.). 



A consideration of the poisonings attributed to plants of 

 this order gives the impression of their great diversity in 

 character, and especially of the vagueness in our knowledge 

 of the causation of such important and well-defined diseases 

 as lathyrism and locoism. It emphasises the need for 

 careful classification of the plants implicated, and for more 

 exact experimental, clinical, and chemical study. 



ROSACE^E. 



The Amygdalus varieties contain cyanogenetic glucosides, 

 and an account of poisoning by them has been given under 

 Cyanides {q.v.). The exotic species, Quillaja Saponaria, 

 native to South America, is a source of saponin, and for 

 an account of poisoning by this agent reference may there- 

 fore be made to the description of the Caryophyllacese. 



CUCURBITACE^. 



The Cucurhitacem, or gourd family, is represented in the 

 wild flora of Britain by Bryonia dioica, or white bryony. 

 The squirting cucumber, Ecbalium Elaterivm, and bitter 



