50 PASTURE AND RANGE. 
fourth during the first week. They found further that 
the number of losses is not reduced by admitting the cat- 
tle to the field for a short time only at first; also that a 
supply of feed in addition to the stalks makes very little 
difference. The further fact was established that animals 
which have contracted the disease very rarely recover. 
The cause is still a mystery. The trouble is believed 
by many to be similar to forage poisoning, which comes 
from eating mouldy and immature corn or other similar 
fodder. There is a fundamental difference, however, in 
the fact that cornstalk disease attacks cattle, while forage 
poisoning is confined to horses and mules. 
The danger seems to be obviated by cutting the corn- 
stalks when ripe and shocking them. No remedy has 
been found for the disease when once contracted. 
LILY FAMILY—Liliaceae. 
DEATH CAMAS—Zygadenus venenosus Rydb. 
Other Common Names: Poison Onion, Poison Lily, 
Poison Sego, Poison Camas, Hog Potato, Mystery Grass, 
Alkali Grass and improperly Lobelia. 
Early explorers in Western Canada learned of the 
poisonous nature of this plant from the Indians, who had 
suffered by mistaking its bulbs for those of 
Camas and Wild Sego, which they used 
for food. People are still sometimes pois- 
oned in the same way, but the chief harm is done to ani- 
mals, especially sheep, on the western ranges. In early 
spring before the herbage is plentiful, the succulent, 
grass-like leaves look very inviting and are greedily eaten 
by sheep in spite of their somewhat bitter taste. The 
onion-like bulbs are equally poisonous, but are not pulled 
Conditions of 
Poisoning 
