Toxic Principle. Among the substances contained in the Greater Celandine may be mentioned the bitter alkaloid Chelidonine (C20H19NO5 + H2O), which, especially occurring in the root, does not appear to be poisonous, or is of feeble activity; the alkaloid Chelerythrine (C21H17NO4), which is poisonous; and Protopine (C20H19NO5). It is stated by Cornevin that the toxic substance is not removed on drying, but Pott (1907) remarks that the dried plant is harmless to animals, the poisonous alkaloid being volatile and disappearing on drying.
Symptoms. The action of this plant is acrid, irritant and narcotic, emetic and purgative. Esser remarks that when Chelerythrine is introduced on the nasal mucous membrane it causes violent sneezing, and taken internally causes vomiting. Müller says that poisoning of domesticated animals is not recorded, but that according to old accounts 500 grammes (about 1 lb.) of the fresh plant eaten by the horse will at most cause slight diabetes.
REFERENCES.
[16], [63], [81], [128], [141], [190], [203], [205], [213].
CRUCIFERÆ.
Charlock (Brassica Sinapistrum Boiss.), also known as B. Sinapis Visiani and Sinapis arvensis L., may be regarded as harmless in the young state, but liable to cause injury after flowering, when the seeds have formed, when it may occasion serious accidents if eaten by live stock. A case in which rape cake containing the seeds of charlock caused poisoning was recorded in 1875 (Jour. Roy. Agric. Soc.). The seeds only are dangerous.
Toxic Principle. The seeds contain minute quantities of volatile Oil of Mustard or Allyl-isothiocyanate (C3H5NCS), the alkaloid Sinapine (C16H23NO5), and the alkaloidal glucoside Sinalbin.
Symptoms. Ingestion of the seeds may cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines (with loss of appetite, wind, colic, and diarrhœa); inflammation of kidneys (difficult, excessive or bloody urination); and nervous symptoms, with great exhaustion, uncertain gait, paralysis of limbs and in isolated cases convulsions (Müller).
Pott also records increased salivation.
In the horse Cornevin records great depression, difficult and accelerated respiration, yellowish mucus and convulsive cough. A characteristic symptom is the emission of frothy liquid through the nostrils (as much as 10 litres in one hour). Death often occurs from asphyxia in a fit of coughing.