i9io.] 



Corn Cockle. 



43 



corn cockle is injurious to domestic animals. The amount 

 of the poisonous substance in the seed is variable, depending 

 probably upon the season and the soil. Animals become 

 accustomed to it, so that amounts of seed which at first 

 cause sickness, later have no injurious effect. The suscepti- 

 bility of animals to the poison varies both with the species 

 and the individual. Young animals are more readily affected 

 than older ones. It is believed that rodents and sheep are 

 not susceptible, and, as far as is known, grown cattle are only 

 slightly or not at all affected by the poison. Calves, swine, 

 horses, and especially dogs, are more or less susceptible. 

 Concerning birds and fowls, there is some doubt." 



Smith includes corn cockle among simple irritant poisons. 



The poisonous principle is variously stated to be Sapo- 

 toxin, a glucoside, Smilacin, Saponin, or Githagin. Pesch 

 says * that the seeds contain a poisonous substance named 

 Saponin or Githagin, a bitter property which may cause 

 nervous debility and dysentery. In the same volume (p. 677) 

 Barnstein says that the poisonous property is due to Saponin, 

 the amount of which can, according to his investigations, 

 only be approximately estimated in a meal containing corn 

 cockle. 



Konig states that the seed of corn cockle contains an 

 alkaloid named Agrostemmin, which is chiefly present in the 

 seed coat ; and also a strongly poisonous substance, Githagin, 

 which is a glycoside resembling Saponin. It is therefore 

 important that the presence of corn cockle in feeding stuffs 

 should be known. 



According to a United States Bulletin, f "the poisonous 

 constituent is very freely soluble in water, and possesses a 

 sharp burning taste. It has no odour, but when inhaled in 

 the smallest quantity it produces violent sneezing. When 

 briskly shaken with water it froths like soap. The poison is 

 found in nearly all parts of the plant, but mainly in the 

 kernel of the seed." With regard to the last statement, it is 

 of interest to note that Cornevin states that the seed coat of 

 corn cockle does not contain the toxic principle. 



* Die Futtermittel des Handels, 1906, p. 34. 

 t Farmers" Bulletin No. 86, U.S. Dept. Agric. 



