22 BULLETIN 1274, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Chicken 37 was given 0.3 per cent of its weight of mature seeds 
and immediately after the feeding received 5 grams (0.2 of an ounce) 
of bacon grease; no symptoms followed. As 0.22 per cent produced 
symptoms in a preceding feeding, and the same quantity in the case 
of chicken 39 resulted in death, it is probable that the grease was 
instrumental in preventing poisoning. 
The uniformly successful results of these experiments make it 
probable that in fats and oils, like milk, bacon grease, lard, and 
linseed oil, we have a distinctly valuable remedy. 
SUMMARY 
While there have been many reports of the poisoning of animals — 
more especially of pigs — by the cocklebur, there has been little 
experimental proof of the toxic character of these plants. 
Experimental feedings have shown conclusively that cocklebur 
plants are poisonous to swine, cattle, sheep, and chickens. 
While the burs may produce some mechanical injury and the seeds 
are very poisonous, stock poisoning is caused by feeding on the 
young plants before the development of the leaves. 
The toxic dosage has been worked out together with the symptoms 
and lesions produced by the plant. 
It has been shown that beneficial remedial effects may be produced 
by the use of milk, oils, or fats. 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
This bibliography of Xanthlum includes only those papers which refer 
to its poisonous properties. 
Banckoft, Joseph. 
1880. The newly introduced poisonous bur, Xanthium strumarium. (Read 
before the Queensland Philosop. Soc. 22nd Jan., 1880) Brisbane 
(Beal) 18S0. 
y, F. M. 
1898. Plants reputed poisonous to stock. Queensland Agr. Jour. Vol. 3, 
pp. 356-357. 
1906. The weeds and suspected poisonous plants of Queensland, p. 82. 
Baker, Eustace Thukman. 
1920. Sheep Diseases. Vet. Med. Series No. 12, Sec. Edition, p. 253. 
Bessey, C. E. 
1902. A preliminary account of the plants of Nebraska which are reputed 
to be poisonous, or suspected of being so. Sixteenth ann. rep. of 
the botanist of the Neb. State Board of Agriculture, p. 123. 
Cast, C. a. 
1915. Alabama Ex. Sta. Bulletin No. 185, p. 55. 
Cheatham, M. V. 
1884. Xanthium strumarium, Linne. Am. Jour, of Pharmacy. Vol. I. VI, 
4tli series, p. 134. 
i. V. K. 
v Preliminary catalogue of plants poisonous to stock. Ann. rep. 
Bureau of Animal Industry for 1898. p. 417. 
1917. Cockleburs poison hogs. Coop. Manager >.V Farmer, Minn., vol. 7. 
p. 87. 
OOULTEB, Si \\ 
1904. The Poisonous Plants of Indiana. Proc. End. Acad. o\' Science. 1904. 
pp. 55 63. 
. EL A., and A. W. Bl i i inc. 
1904. Diseases of Swine. Purdue Univ. Agr. Exp. station. Bull. No. 100, 
Vol. XII, Sept, p. 88. 
