HORSETAIL FAMILY. 29 
Diarrhcea and rapid loss of flesh are first observed, fol- 
lowed by muscular incoérdination. The animal sways 
and staggers, finally becoming unable to stand. The tem- 
perature is at first sub-normal, but after the animal falls 
its struggles produce a fever. The appetite usually re- 
mains good throughout, but weakness increases and 
death may follow from exhaustion due to the continued 
struggles to rise. The circulation is poor, as shown by 
coldness of the extremities and paleness of the delicate 
membranes of the mouth, nostrils and eyes. The disease 
can be distinguished from bracken poisoning which it 
somewhat resembles, by the constipation and redness of 
the eyes that accompany the latter. (See p. 33.) 
The treatment is as follows. Remove all hay contain- 
ing Horsetail and administer a purge. Rich and Jones 
recommend a pill of one ounce Barbados 
aloes, one or two drachms of ginger and 
enough soft soap to bind the powder together. If these 
are not available, a quart of linseed oil may be used as 
a substitute. A teaspoonful of nux vomica added to the 
grain ration three times daily helps to relieve the mus- 
cular trouble. It is important to avoid exciting the ani- 
mal, and to keep him on his feet. If he seems likely to 
fall he should be supported in slings—arranged to press 
very lightly on the abdomen when he is standing but to 
give support as soon as the least bending of the legs takes 
place. 
The Field Horsetail thrives best in fairly light sandy 
soil, wet, or at least moist for a considerable part of the 
season. Other species live partially submerged 
in ponds or streams. There is a perennial root- 
stock—a horizontal stem running beneath the surface of 
‘the ground. This rootstock is jointed and branched, the 
Treatment 
The Plant 
