CARROT FAMILY. 17 
3 p.m. nine were found dead and several sick, one of the 
latter dying while the herd was being removed. On ex- 
amination of the place where the dead animals were 
found, a piece of marshy land near the shore of Lake 
Winnipeg, it was discovered that the whole area was 
overgrown by the young shoots of the Water Hemlock. 
The stomach contents of the dead animals proved to be 
composed chiefly of this young growth with a few roots. 
In this particular area cattle had pastured in former 
years with impunity, the young Water Hemlock having 
been concealed by the previous year’s growth of marsh 
grass, but this season the grass cover had been burned 
off. Another peculiar feature of the case was that the 
‘younger members of the herd were not affected. This 
apparent immunity was found to be due to their having 
been driven away from the tempting shoots by the older 
animals. ; 
Some writers state that the plant is most poisonous 
in winter and spring. Others believe that the effects in 
autumn are just as deadly. All agree, however, that 
during the hot summer season a larger quantity may be 
eaten without harmful results. Jacobson has discovered 
the reason for this. In his investigations of the proper- 
ties of cicutoxin, the poisonous constituent, he found that 
it is very sensitive to rises in temperature, becoming 
polymerized by heat. 
The poison is very rapid in its action, anid a very small 
quantity will produce death. Soon after eating severe 
abdominal pain manifests itself. Great mental 
excitement develops into a frenzy. There is 
often frothing at the mouth. Respiration is laboured and 
often irregular. The pulse is intermittent. Convulsions 
follow and death ensues, sometimes within fifteen min- 
Symptoms 
