9 
“ It might seem an easy matter to reach a conclusion upon 
this subject which is of such vital interest to the farmer and 
ranchman of the West; but to do this, and satisfy the exac¬ 
tions of science, requires not only careful chemical investiga¬ 
tion, but physiological work of a peculiar kind, and close and 
long-continued observation. To uproot a prejudice of many 
years’ standing, and confront long-established hearsay evi¬ 
dence, even if possessed of no basis of truth, scientific men 
must push their investigation to the farthest limit.” 
The Botanical Gazette, July, 1889, contains an article by F. 
W. Anderson, Great Falls, Montana, in which he calls the 
attention of botanists and others to the fact that something 
should be done to help the ranchmen with their stock. 
Much valuable work has been done in Kansas by Prof. Sayre. 
In the report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, 
December 31, 1887, a prescription is offered for the diseased 
mucous and serous membranes and for the nervous and de¬ 
bilitated condition of the animal. Dr. Harding thinks that 
Pulverized extract belladona.10 grains. 
Corrosive sublimate.i to i >2 grains. 
Licorice.i oz. 
Glycerine.q. s. 
Mix. Make a thin paste, and give a tablespoonful. The 
belladonna and mercury may be increased according to the 
severity of the symptoms. In the Rocky Mountam Druggist, 
July, 1889, page 81, notes on the so-called loco weeds by Prof. 
Dr. Frederick B. Power, taken ivom Hoffmann s Pharm. Rttnd- 
sckau, the work of Prof. Sayre is reviewed and the experi¬ 
ments of Dr. Mary Gage Day are cited as to the toxicity of 
the loco weed. Prof. Power seems to think that it is clearly es¬ 
tablished that the loco weed contains some alkaloid that af¬ 
fects cattle and horses. In the Rocky Moimtain Druggist, 
January, 1891, pages 5 to 9, and in the Pharmaceiitische Rund¬ 
schau, January, 1891, page 8, the same article appears : Chem- 
cal examination of some loco weeds. Astragalus Mollissimus, 
Torrey and Crotalaria Sagittalis, Lin. by Prof. Dr. F. B. 
Power and J. Gambier, in which the literature of the subject 
is first noticed and then the chemical examination of Astra¬ 
galus Mollissimus is taken up, giving in detail the method 
and tests used. We have room only for the conclusion : “ In 
concluding this investigation the authors are sensible of the 
fact that the chemistiy of the plants under notice has not 
been pursued to its furthest limits, but being unable at pres¬ 
ent to devote more time to the subject we have thought it 
proper to record the results thus far obtained. These results 
