MOUNTAIN LAUREL, A POISONOUS PLANT. 27 



conditions sheep have survived this dose. In starved animals no 

 doubt smaller doses would be poisonous. 



One experiment was with a sheep about 7 years old; weight about 

 22.5 kilos. On June 1, 1905, at 11:05 a. m., the temperature was 

 104.5° F., respiration 60, pulse 90 per minute. A slight secretion from 

 the nostrils was present owing to a coryza ; pupils about one- fourth of 

 an inch wide; the conjunctival, buccal, and mucous membranes nor- 

 mal. Eight3^-five grams of powdered dried laurel leaves in sealed 

 gelatine capsules were given. The feeding lasted twenty-five 

 minutes. 



Following the administration of the capsules little inclination to 

 eat was manifested, urination and slight defecation taking place dur- 

 ing the first hour. At 1 p. m., respiration was 110 per minute, pulse 

 117, temperature 104° F. Marked disinclination to move was shown, 

 the sheep permitting itself to be easily turned on its side. It ate only 

 sparingly. Two hours after taking the laurel leaves urination was 

 repeated and slight emesis set in, followed soon by mental dull- 

 ness, as shown by decreased attention to surrounding objects, with 

 a loss of alertness, while the face took on a sleepy appearance and 

 saliva began to accumulate about the mouth. Respiration was some- 

 what labored and the unsteadiness in gait became marked. Two and 

 three- fourths hours after eating the laurel the sheep assumed an 

 awkward attitude in standing, the hind legs being set wide apart. 

 Repeated emesis became a prominent feature and continued for about 

 an hour, the ejecta being thin and mustard-like. Apparently to facil- 

 itate breathing, the mouth was kept open most of the time. Weakness 

 and unsteadiness increased until three and one-fourth hours after eat- 

 ing the laurel. At this time it was difficult for the animal to stand. 



At 2:46 p. m. the temperature was 107° F., respiration 50 per min- 

 ute, pulse 124. The pupils were of the same size as before the feeding. 

 The abundant nasal secretion at this time became a very marked 

 symptom, and continued so throughout the history of the case. 

 Weakness increased until the animal could not stand, and a dimin- 

 ished sensitiveness to skin irritation was noted. Death ensued 

 quickly at 3 : 06 p. m. No convulsions were noted at any time. 



The post-mortem examination was made at once. The sheep ap- 

 peared to be well nourished. Some mustard-colored ejecta were 

 found in the trachea as well as in the bronchioles. The lungs crepi- 

 tated markedly, but showed no special amount of fluid. The pleural 

 cavity contained no increased amount of fluid. The mucous mem- 

 branes were not discolored. The heart contained no clots, was not 

 dilated, and contained only a little dark blood. The stomach was full 

 of food and its walls showed no signs of irritation. The intestines 



a In all cases the temperature was taken by the rectum. 



121—n 



