138 " Veterinary Medicine. 



ganglia of the central nervous system, preventing them from 

 readily receiving impressions. Has a spinal tetanic action. It 

 kills mainly by arrest of the heart. Increases the callory secre- 

 tion. Has a stupefying action on the brain. Reduces the cardiac 

 force and frequency. Temporarily increases arterial tension, 

 but finally decreases it. Greatly dilates the pupil." {Amer. 

 Jour, of Pharmacy, 1882. 



In opposition to these statements Professor, Sayre, of Kansas, 

 after an extended observation, arrived at the conclusion that ' ' it 

 is a grave question whether loco weed is a poison at all ; upon 

 chemical examination no poisonous principle of any kind was dis- 

 covered ; no toxic effect was observable when administered to 

 frogs, cats, dogs, or the human species, .... the point cannot 

 be accepted as a settled one whether loco is poisonous to cattle or 

 not." 



Dr. G. C. Faville found in locoed sheep in Colorado, bunches of 

 tapewortns in the gall ducts. Dr. Cooper Curtice, who sub- 

 sequently studied the subject, found the taenia fimbriata, and be- 

 lieves that to these the symptoms are exclusively due. ' ' The 

 affected lambs are large headed with undersized bodies and hide- 

 bound skins. Their gait is slightly like that of a rheumatic. 

 They seem to have difficulty in cropping the shorter grass ; they 

 also appear to be more foolish than the other sheep, standing 

 oftener to stamp at the sheep dogs or the herder than the healthier 

 ones. Others do not seem to see as well, or are so affected that 

 they seem to appreciate danger less. In driving they are to be 

 found at the rear of the flock." (Animal Parasites of Sheep). 



It is altogether probable that the tseniasis of sheep has been 

 mistaken for loco, but this can hardly account for the remarkable 

 symptoms found in other genera of animals, as a concomitant of 

 an acquired and insatiable fondness for these leguminous plants. 

 The taenia fimbriata has been found in sheep and deer, but there 

 is no record of it as a parasite of cattle and horses. 



Dr. Sayre' s failure to find any poisonous principle in the plants, 

 or any toxic action on frogs, dogs or cats, cannot be received as 

 conclusive in face of the result reached by others. Perhaps 

 Dr. Sayre' s .specimens were not grown under the proper condi- 

 tions, or were not collected in the proper season to secure the 

 toxic ingredient. 



