12 BULLETIN 1376, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
that cattle do not differ materially from sheep in susceptibility to 
poisoning by Zygadenus nuttallii. 
The results with cattle 965 and cattle 995 are somewhat interesting, 
in that symptoms were noted only after the second day's feeding. It 
would seem that the toxic substance of the first day's feeding was not 
eliminated before the second day, and that the sickness resulted to 
some extent from the combined feedings of the two days. 
COMPARATIVE TOXICITY OF PARTS OF THE PLANT 
The number of experiments upon bulbs was not large enough to 
make conclusive inferences in regard to the toxicity of the bulbs as 
compared with the other parts oi the plants, but the experiments do 
indicate that the bulbs are somewhat more toxic than the parts of the 
plants above ground. This is a matter of considerable interest, as 
preceding work on the other species of Zygadenus indicated that 
Z. venenosus was the only one in which the bulbs were definitely 
more toxic than the other parts of the plant. 
ANIMALS SUSCEPTIBLE TO POISONING 
The experimental work showed that cattle and sheep may be 
poisoned by this plant. There were no experimental feedings of 
horses, but it is probable that this death camas, like the others, will 
poison horses. It is also probable that, as was shown in Depart- 
ment Bulletin 1240 to be the case with Z. venenosus, swine will vomit 
with sufficient promptness so that they will not suffer severely from 
Nuttall's death camas. 
PROBABILITY OF DEATH OF LIVESTOCK 
The toxic dose, as shown on page 11, is small and it is evident that 
animals may easily be made sick by eating the plant, but the lethal 
dose is fairly large, though only one-half that of Z. paniculatus or Z. 
venenosus. A 100-pound sheep, for instance, must eat about a 
pound to produce death. A sheep may readily eat that quantity, but 
it is not likely, in the presence of other feed, to confine itself to any 
one plant. Therefore, the probabilities are that comparatively few 
sheep, unless forced by hunger, will eat enough to produce death. To 
use a physician's term, the prognosis of most poisoned sheep is good; 
that is, with reasonable care they probably will recover. 
Cattle do not seek so much variety in their forage, but it may be 
expected that most of those made sick will recover. 
REMEDIAL MEASURES 
As in the case of the other forms of death camas, there is no effective 
medicinal remedy known. The plant, so far as known, grows in 
somewhat limited areas, so that stockmen who recognize the danger 
can, by proper care, keep their animals away from these areas during 
the dangerous period. The plant comes up before the grasses and 
is said to disappear in a few weeks' time. It is easily recognized, and, 
for the most part, can be avoided. 
As stated before, if animals are poisoned it does not necessarily 
follow that they will die; a large proportion will probably recover. 
It is important that sick animals should be kept quiet and fed if they 
show a desire to eat. It is possible that some laxative like linseed oil 
would aid in the elimination of the poison. 
