Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology

by R. J. M. Buchanan

LOLIUM TEMULENTUM

The seeds of Lolium temulentum, or common darnel, are poisonous. Cases of poisoning have occurred from these seeds being accidentally ground with wheat or rye, and then made into bread.

Symptoms.—Gastric irritation, nausea, and vomiting followed by giddiness, deafness, loss of vision, and, in some cases, delirium. Not infrequently the symptoms resemble those produced by ergot. No death has been recorded as resulting from the use of these seeds. Three ounces of paste made from darnel flour, given to a dog, did not cause death.