GRASS FAMILY. AT 
The formation of hydrocyanic acid is due to the action 
of an enzyme on a glucoside, which resembles that found 
in almonds. Neither the glucoside nor the enzyme is in 
itself poisonous. The enzyme is especially active when 
green sorghum is wilted, and the poison is said to be more 
plentifully produced in stunted plants, or those of second ; 
growth. When the Sorghum has been dried there is no 
danger, hydrocyanic acid being very volatile, and the 
enzyme responsible for its formation being in all prob- 
ability destroyed by the drying. 
The symptoms produced are very striking. Hydro- 
cyanic or prussic acid is the most rapid poison known. 
Even the dilute form found in these plants 
causes symptoms in a few seconds, especially 
when taken on an empty stomach. The animal becomes 
giddy or staggers and falls. Heart action is slowed and 
breathing laboured. Spasms and twitching of the mus- 
cles are followed by numbness in the limbs, and finally by 
delirium and death. Bloating is sometimes observed in 
sheep and cattle, but is not always present. If only a 
very slight amount of the poison has been eaten the 
symptoms are less pronounced. Sorghum has, however, 
been known to become so poisonous that a few mouth- 
fuls eaten on an empty stomach would kill a cow in ten 
minutes. An autopsy shows no pathological conditions 
but an analysis of the stomach contents of animals lately 
killed reveals the presence of hydrocyanic acid: The 
peach-like odour of the poison is usually quite noticeable. 
Treatment is in most cases useless where any consider- 
able amount of the poison has been ingested. The animal 
should be placed with head raised, and, if pos- 
sible, in the shade. If bloating occurs in 
cattle the paunch should be punctured, a handbreadth in 
Symptoms 
Treatment 
