254 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS, 



the extent of one-half — into the composition of hay : under these 

 conditions such hay ought to be entirely rejected as a food for 

 cows. Bovine animals take it only with disgust ; when they are 

 compelled to feed on it they lose flesh, are overcome by ptyalism, 

 the teeth loosen (the edge of the gums becomes the seat of a very 

 intense inflammation), and if the use of this hay is continued, the 

 teeth become detached and drop out. It is, however, a very strange 

 fact, that horses will eat this dangerous hay with avidity, and not 

 feel any discomfort from it ; it is therefore reserved for the horses 

 — in the royal stables it is accepted as good food. Equisetum 

 palustre is regarded as an excellent food for the cow ; it is desig- 

 nated under the name of cow moss (Kuhmoos). 



We are entirely ignorant of the conditions imparting the toxic 

 property to shave-grass ; the poison is perhaps produced by para- 

 sites, as in lupinosis. Aquatic glyceria (Glyoeria aquaiiea) and the 

 common reed {Phragmites commmiis) seem to act in the same way 

 as the shave-grass.^ 



8. Poisoning by Oxide of Carbon. 



Symptoms. Vertigo, stupor, loss of consciousness, asphyxia. 

 Autopsy. The blood is vermilion red; there are lesions of 

 asphyxia. 



Treatment. Fresh air, stimulants, cold douches, bleeding. 



Poisonings by carbonic acid and by illuminating gas present the 

 same clinical symptoms. Poisonings by ether and chloroform (the 

 latter being extremely dangerous in the cat) are accompanied by 

 symptoms of similar lesions. 



9. Poisoning by Lathy rus Cicera (Chick-pea). 



Symptoms. In the horse : anxiety and laryngeal whistling ; 

 paralysis, weakness of the lumbar region, and asphyxia. 

 Autopsy. There is not any characteristic alteration. 

 Treatment. Change of diet ; tracheotomy. 



10. Poisoning by Viper-bite ( Viper a berus et V. aspis). 



Symptoms. Weakness, anxiety, tremblings, dyspnoea, accelera- 

 tion of the pulse, which becomes almost imperceptible toward the 

 end of life. The course is very rapid. There is local congestion 



> Morro, Kopke : Arch. f. wiss. u. prakt. Thierheilkunde, 1855. 



