14 — 
the loco plant of itself was harmless, and that the effect on animals was the effect 
of the parasite in their system. The common symptoms, such as near-sightedness, 
trembling of the limbs, are greatly aggravated by running or any continued quick 
movement. It is commonly known to be a fact that the loco weed is harmless after 
severe freezing, and this point will appear to show that there is some other cause 
than any poison that may be in the plant itself. 
From conversation with horsemen in Wyoming, I have heard the same opinion 
expressed regarding the effect of freezing on the plant. I fear this is not as full a 
statement'as you had hoped for, but at the present day it is about the best I can 
do. 
I should be pleased, at your convenience, to have a summary of the experiments 
that you are conducting. Hoping lhat you will be able to get at the bottom of the 
matter, I am. Respectfully yours, 
Binford & Spencer. 
United States Department of Agriculture, 
Division of Chemistry. 
Washington, D. C., March 11, 1890. 
David O'Brine., Fort Collins, Colo.: 
Dear Sir. —In regard to the analysis of the “loco weed,” I will say that we 
have made several examinations of this weed for an alkaloid or poisonous matter, 
and have separated a substance which exists only in small quantities and which has 
some of the characteristics of an alkaloid, but which we have not yet obtained in 
large enough quantities for further examination. We use various methods for ex¬ 
tracting the alkaloid, among the best of which we hnd the saturation of the finely- 
ground material with sulphuric acid, the addition in excf'ss of sodium hydrate or 
• ammonium hydrate, and shaking the alkaloid out with ether. Among other meth¬ 
ods, those used for the separation of Calycanthine, described by me in Colq American 
Chemical Journal, Vol. II., No. 8. may also be used. 
I should expect the largest yield of the alkaloidal principle from the plants 
after they had reached maturity. Respectfully, 
H. W. Wiley, 
Chemist. 
JOURNAL OP ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, 
Edward Hart, Editor. 
Easton, Pa, March 14,1890. 
Mr. David O'Brine: 
Dear Sir. —I worked some time, myself, several years ago with loco weed 
{Astragalus Mollisslmus), but could not get any alkaloid. I was forced to lay it aside 
by press of other work, and have not been able to take it up again. If you succeed 
with it, I wish you would let me know. In the limited time I worked with the 
weed, I could only get a gummy residue, which refused to crystallize. 
Very truly yours. 
Edward Hart. 
The people of Colorado had great faith that it was the 
loco weed that caused so much disease and death among 
horses, sheep and cattle, for the Legislature passed an act, as 
follows ; 
0 
