54 



BULLETIN 1245, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Symptoms of Laurel Poisoning 



The symptoms are practically the same in all cases of so-called laurel 

 poisoning. There is salivation resulting in frothing at the mouth 

 (fig. 23), nausea ordinarily accompanied with vomiting, depression, 

 weakness shown by a staggering gait or inability to stand, and irregu- 

 lar respiration. Grinding of the teeth is frequently noticed in sick 

 animals. 



Treatment of Laurel Poisoning 



Little can be done in the way of remedial treatment. Anything 

 that will aid in elimination will be of some benefit, and to this end 

 purgatives may be given, such as Epsom salt in doses of 4 ounces. 

 The main reliance, however, must be placed on prevention. Herders 

 should learn to recognize and avoid the plants. 



THE MILKWEED FAMILY (ASCLEPIADACEAE) 



MILKWEED (SPECIES OF ASCLEPIAS) 



A large number of species of milkweed are poisonous and cause 

 losses of livestock, especially of sheep. 



Whorled Milkweed 



There are several spe- 

 cies of whorled milk- 

 weed, plants with nar- 

 row leaves arranged 

 more or less in whorls. 

 Of these the most im- 

 portant is horsetail 

 m\lk\xeed,Asclepias gal- 

 ioides (pi. 39), found in 

 Colorado, Utah, Ari- 

 zona, and New Mexico, 

 and extending into west- 

 ern Texas. It is poison- 

 ous to horses, cattle, and 

 sheep, and has caused 

 serious losses, especially 

 of sheep. 



Another whorled milkweed, the Mexican milkweed, A. meccicana 

 (pi. 40), grows in the Pacific States and is especially abundant in 

 some parts of California. It is not so poisonous as A. galioides, but 

 nevertheless has caused serious trouble. 



The most characteristic symptom in acute cases of poisoning by 

 the whorled milkweeds is the presence of most violent convulsions, 

 sometimes accompanied by a very high temperature. In milder cases 

 the animals do not exhibit convulsions, but stagger about, the weak- 

 ness being most pronounced in the hind legs. This condition may be 

 prolonged several days. 



In Figure 24 is shown a sheep poisoned by the woolly-pod milk- 

 weed ; and in Figure 25, a sheep in violent convulsions as the result 

 of poisoning by the Mexican milkweed. Figure 26 shows a sheep 

 poisoned by the Plains milkweed Asdepias piimila; the animal has 

 difficulty in standing, as indicated by the bracing apart of the hind 



FlGD 



4. — A sheep severely poisoned by w 

 milkweed, Asdepias criovarpa 



lly-pod 



