On Mushroom Eating 



*93 



esculents, and many of them very abundant, I consider it 

 desirable to bring them well into notice. It seemed right, 

 then, to make mention of species not actually known to be 

 poisonous, as well as the few just described." He also adds : 

 " Several poisonous kinds are quite bland and pleasant to the 

 taste " (p. 202). Some do not become poisonous till they 

 begin to decompose. 



We here take leave of Mr. Hay. He is an enthusiast for 

 mushroom-eating, but, as has been seen, a candid advocate. 



It is a question of much interest for the farmer, and one 

 which has, as yet, received little or no attention, whether 

 the deaths of sheep, cattle and horses may not sometimes be 

 caused by their having eaten poisonous fungi. Sheep do 

 unquestionably sometimes nibble at the Russulas and 

 Amanita phalloides, and they also sometimes die with all the 

 symptoms of agaric poisoning. 



Children appear to be especially susceptible as regards 

 mushroom poisoning ; and those who, despite all warning, 

 incline to experiment on themselves, may be entreated not to 

 allow their children to eat them. All forms of cooking render 

 the poisonous mushrooms less hurtful, and boiling in salt 

 water, or the free use of salt and vinegar, appear to be efficient 

 in destroying the virulence even of some of the worst. 



As regards wholesome mushrooms, the quantity taken is 

 of much importance. It fortunately happens that for flavour- 

 ing very small quantities are sufficient or even better than 

 larger ones. 



It cannot be too extensively known that the symptoms of 

 disagreement from sound mushrooms may often be wholly 

 deferred for a day or two. Thus many cases of summer or 

 autumn illness attended by much pain and distress are never 

 referred to their true cause. These are the cases to which we 

 have already alluded as examples of idiosyncrasy. 



