FERN FAMILY. 35 
In rare cases horses have been known to show similar 
symptoms from eating Bracken in pastures. Except in 
the case of very greedy animals, they will not eat the 
fern either in hay or pasture. if a proper amount of or- 
dinary feed is provided. 
Drs. Hadwen and Bruce refer to the treatment recom- 
mended by Dr. 8. F. Tolmie of Victoria, late Dominion 
Minister of Agriculture, who has had a great 
deal of experience with such cases: ‘Remove 
all ferny hay.and bedding. Administer a good brisk pur- 
gative, such as Barbados aloes seven drachms, calomel 
one drachm and ginger one drachm. Half-ounce doses 
of potassium bromide twice a day in the feed or drink- 
ing water. One or two drachms of potassium iodide 
three times a day is recommended. Give medicine in the 
feed or drinking water or with a syringe. Feed laxative 
food such as bran mash and carrots. Give enemas if 
necessary. When animal is very groggy place in slings 
with extreme care, avoiding excitement as much as pos- 
sible. . . . In some cases cold packs to the head are re- 
commended.” In certain remarks for the farmer who 
is unable to secure professional aid, the importance of a 
warm, quiet stable and of guarding against excitement 
is emphasized, and as an alternative purgative a quart 
of raw linseed oil recommended. 
The Bracken is of wide distribution, growing under a 
variety of soil conditions, in both hemispheres. Its 
slender, glossy, dark-coloured, underground 
Description stem forms a tough mat exposed on plough- 
The aae ing but below the level of the grass roots. It 
gives off at intervals rigid erect stalks, two 
to four feet high, bearing at their summits broad branch- 
ing fronds. The firm, upright, rigid character of the leaf 
‘Treatment 
