DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 113 



of the cocklebur that it is poisonous, or possibly swine eat the plant 

 only during this stage of development. The writer assisted in an 

 investigation of the effect of young eocldeburs when eaten by swine 

 at the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station in 1899. Quantities 

 of the young plants were gathered and fed to pigs weighing from 

 forty to sixty pounds. The symptoms, although not universally the 

 same in all cases, clearly indicated a gastro-enteritis, which was 

 verified by autopsy. ; 



Lesions. — There is evidence of a marked gastro-enteritis in ani- 

 mals dead of cocklebur poisoning, usually involving the entire mucosa 

 of the stomach and the small intestine and not infrequently extend- 

 ing to the mucous membrane of the large intestine. The involved 

 mucous membrane may slough, leaving large areas of denuded 

 surface. 



Symptoms. — Increased thirst, colic pains, diarrhea, weakness, 

 paralysis, and death succeed one another rather rapidly in fatal 

 cases. In some instances the life of the affected animal is prolonged 

 for several days, during which time there is rapid emaciation. 



Treatment. — Treatment is not satisfactory. In the early stages 

 emetics may be of value, followed by purgatives and mucilaginous 

 drinks. 



Atropa Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) 



Deadly nightshade poisoning is not of frequent occurrence, al- 

 though it has been reported in sections of the country where the 

 plant grows. 



Lesions. — The lesions are not characteristic. Animals that die 

 within a few hours will show no lesions at all, except retention of 

 the urine or a greatly distended bladder; the blood may be some- 

 what darker than normal. Those that are affected for one or more 

 days will show a gastro-intestinal inflammation. 



Symptoms. — The first symptoms noticed are nausea, followed by 

 vomition, dryness of the mouth, more or less excitement and con- 

 vulsions, increased pulse and respiration, dilated pupils, and partial 

 blindness. The duration of this period is short and is followed by 

 paralysis. The animals become weak, and stagger, the temperature 

 falls, respiration is slow and weak, gradually becoming shallower, 

 the pulse is rapid and weak, and there is a relaxation of the sphincter 

 muscles. The affected animals soon pass into a state of coma in 



