In cattle, cake containing the seeds caused inflammation of the intestines, exhausting diarrhœa, and unquenchable thirst.
The cultivated Mustards may induce similar effects, and Lander records the following symptoms as caused by Brassica nigra:—In the horse, bronchial symptoms, marked by difficulty in breathing and the discharge of great quantities of yellowish frothy matter from the nose; in cattle, uneasiness, restlessness and intense colic, with frantic rushing about and mania, ending in exhaustion, falling, struggles and collapse; in a recent case there were dullness, coldness, some tympany, laboured respiration, staggering and falling, and in fatal cases, immobility and a semi-comatose condition.
REFERENCES.
[4], [16], [63], [76], [127], [170], [190], [205], [213], [219].
Wild Radish (Raphanus Raphanistrum L.). As in the case of charlock, the seeds of wild radish are very acrid, and susceptible of introducing intestinal troubles if eaten by animals when mixed with cereals.
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria officinalis Andrz.) and Treacle Mustard (Erysimum cheiranthoides L.). The seeds are stated to have properties similar to Brassica Sinapistrum (p. [18]) owing to a pungent oil; and when eaten in quantity to induce poisoning, inflammation of the digestive tract and of the kidneys, as well as nervous symptoms (Müller).
CARYOPHYLLACEÆ.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.). This plant is more or less poisonous, but is rarely, if ever, eaten by stock, and no recorded case of the poisoning of stock has been met with.
Toxic Principle. The whole plant, especially the root, contains the poisonous glucosidal Saponin (C18H28O10)4, a peculiar substance which causes intense frothing when stirred in water.
Symptoms. No symptoms of animal poisoning by the plant are recorded, but the action of Saponin in the blood stream is to induce dissolution of the red cells, with stupefaction and paralysis, as in the killing of fish by poisoning. It also causes vomiting and purging. Taken by the mouth it causes inflammation of the alimentary tract, the contents of which are fœtid and mixed with blood.