Loco 411 
suffering for water, it seems to be afraid to approach 
a tank for fear of falling in. 
Locoed cattle do not shed the hair readily in the 
spring, and in midsummer they can be distinguished by 
the ragged patches of old hair which are still clinging. 
As the disease progresses, the animal becomes much 
emaciated and there is dropsical swelling of the head 
and legs and other dependent parts of the body. 
Locoed horses exhibit the same general symptoms as 
cattle and sheep. They are uneasy and “weave about” 
when standing, and can be led or pulled along only 
with much difficulty. A straw, stick or shadow across 
the path may cause a locoed horse to sheer violently to 
one side or jump several feet high in order to clear the 
imaginary obstacle. If allowed to stare at it a few mo- 
ments until it comprehends the nature of the object, it 
will usually pass it freely. Locoed horses are subject to 
fits, or “erazy spells.” These fits are especially liable to 
occur when the animal is working and the day is warm. 
During the paroxysm, the animal is delirious, and may 
rear and plunge violently, often falling to the ground 
in an unconscious condition, the eyes rolling in their 
sockets or turning so as to expose the whites. These 
fits usually last but a short time. It is generally con- 
sidered that a locoed horse, although deprived of the 
loco weed until broken of the habit, seldom amounts to 
anything afterward on account of its tendency to have 
fits. Locoed cattle and sheep do not feed well, and can 
be fattened only with difficulty. 
Recent investigations made by the United States 
Department of Agriculture in different parts of the 
