Dec. 2 4l 1917 Eupatorium urticaefolium as a Poisonous Plant 707 
combined feeding of the two periods was 6 pounds, the quantity which 
appears to be the average toxic or lethal dose; and if it is assumed that 
the toxic substance of the first period had not been eliminated the fatal 
effect of the small forced feeding may be explained. 
SYMPTOMS 
The most noticeable symptom and perhaps the most typical is tremb¬ 
ling, which is seen especially in the muscles about the nose and in those 
of the legs. This becomes marked after exercise, and may be violent, 
ending in the animal falling to the ground. 
In some cases trembling is the first symptom noted, but in others there 
is a preceding period of marked depression and inactivity. 
In most cases the animals are constipated, and some have bloody feces. 
Generally when fed intensively the animals are nauseated, and this is 
sometimes accompanied with vomiting. 
The respiration is normal, except that during exertion it is quickened 
and somewhat labored. 
In the average of cases there were no significant changes in tempera¬ 
ture. In one or two cases it was slightly lower than normal, and in 
others somewhat higher than normal, during the latter part of the illness. 
Weakness is very pronounced. The animals have difficulty in stand¬ 
ing and sometimes remain down for a prolonged period before death. 
Sometimes they live for several days after the appearance of the first 
symptoms. 
AUTOPSY FINDINGS 
Generally speaking, there was more or less congestion in the duodenum 
and ileum. The liver in most cases showed evidence of a pathological 
condition, presenting the appearance of “nutmeg liver.” Except in the 
liver and intestine, there was no evident abnormal condition. 
PATHOLOGY 
Microscopic examinations have been made of various tissue from ani¬ 
mals poisoned by E. urticaefolium. Two organs, the liver and kidney, 
show pathological changes of a significant nature. 
LivKR. —The livers from those animals which were autopsied shortly 
after death in all cases showed a condition of fatty infiltration, and most 
of them showed congestion, either acute or subacute. The fat globules 
were formed within the cells, in some cases occupying nearly the entire 
cell body. The globules were variable in size. They were least numer¬ 
ous in the case of calf 700 and most marked in the case of cow 669. It 
is to be noted that cattle 669 died from the effect of the plant, while calf 
700 did not show positive symptoms. 
Of the sheep, No. 368 showed very marked congestion, the cells of the 
lobules, more particularly near the vena centralis , being pushed far apart, 
giving the appearance of nutmeg liver. In cases Nos. 367, 368, and 369 
