351 
Dr. Kirk EOM instituted inquiries into the subject, which con- - 
firme d the statement; and he adds that, ‘the natives know this dá/ 
‘is poison, t ‘bey eat it because it is pou thinking that they can 
* stop in time to save themselves from its consequences. 
This condition, which has lately pes it the name of.“ lathyrismus," 
om formed the subject of investigations by Dr. B. Suchard, by whom it 
s been found that the chief effect produced on the human subject, is 
upon the muscles of the Jower extremities , especially on those below the 
knee. In horses, paralysis of the hinder extremities also takes place, 
but an affection of the larynx, resulting in asphyxia and death has been 
observed, a complication which has not been recorded in man. Cantarri 
of Naples, has published a number of cases in which he has carefully 
observed the conditions "v death. The muscles of the face, neck, and 
trunk were found not to be affected ; those of the lower extremities es, 
especially the abductors, were ni Pa to have undergone a fatty degenera- 
tion, the transverse abri being diminished, and the ultimate fibres con- 
taining little drops of oil. No affection of the spinal cord was 
discovered. 
Until lately it was extremely doubtful as to what could be the cause 
of this poisonous action of the pulse. Various ideas were entertained 
by different writers, some holding that the noxious P opertie es were due 
to the large per-centage of albuminous material contained in the seed. 
The recent isolation of an alkaloid which cscs the toxic characters 
of the grain would seem, however, definitely to settle the point. The 
T 
or prepara dál, pasteballs, &c., in all probability 
retain eont of 1 the AN to produce poisonous effects if eaten 
during a prolonged period, 
It seems probable that the volatile property of the poison may afford 
an explanation of the apparent caprieiousness of the effects of the pulse 
who .habitually consume it. In any case, it is highly 
desirable that dcos should be made for the purpose of definitely 
ascertaining the presence or otherwise of the alkaloid in the ordinary 
Lathyrus diet, chapatis, dal, curries, pasteballs, &c. consumed as food 
heat and greater care in coo ing, to render this edly noxious 
food grain a wholesome and nutritious article of food, one of the cheapest 
and most easily obtainable pulses of India ke a much higher 
a 
food to cattle are similar to those observed in man... Thus, from the 
ollowing ero} from Smith's Veterinary Hygiene, i it would appear to 
have been used with deleterious results in he disease 
arising = the u f Lathyrus, sativus (ep dir) has been 
deseribed by Messrs. lese and Professors Een and W illiams 
ome to this county as petas and its action on MR, is to Ven 
the most intense dyspnea and poarta when put to work; the 
appetite is not affected. and when in the stable the animai appears in 
perfect health. Several fatal cases are reported by these observers, 
whose articles in the Veterinary Journal and Veterinarian, April 
5 Veterinarian, November 1886, may be consulted with 
great advantage," 
A 2 
