The lesions are those of hæmorrhagic gastro-enteritis.
Treatment consists in giving tannin, opium, and emollients.
Oxypolis rigidus.—The cowbane is natural in swamps throughout the eastern half of the United States. The leaves and roots are reputed to be poisonous to cattle.
Sium cicutæfolium.—The leaves of the hemlock water parsnip, which is more or less common throughout the United States, are said to be poisonous to stock.
ERICAEÆ (HEATH FAMILY).
Andromeda polifolia.—The wild rosemary, or moorwort, is a plant native to the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and America, entering the United States only in the extreme north-east. The leaves, which have been eaten by sheep with fatal effect, contain a narcotic poison known as andromedotoxin. The plant is not very dangerous in its native habitat, because it grows in bogs which are inaccessible to stock.
* Azalea occidentalis.—The California azalea is very much dreaded by sheep men who drive their flocks into the southern Sierras for pasture. Investigation has shown that the leaves contain a poisonous substance.
* Kalmia angustifolia.—The narrow-leaf laurel is abundant in the north-eastern section of the United States, where it is also well known as sheep laurel and lamb-kill. The leaves contain andromedotoxin, and sheep and calves are frequently poisoned by eating them.
* Kalmia latifolia.—The broad-leaf laurel is native throughout the greater part of the eastern half of the United States, and is known by a great variety of common names, the most important of which are laurel and ivy. The latter name is most commonly used south of Maryland. Scores of cattle and sheep are poisoned annually by eating the plant. It is probably the most dangerous of all the shrubs belonging to the heath family.
