Plants Poisonous to Live Stock

by Harold Cecil Long

Ivy (Hedera Helix L.). The berries of the Ivy are said to be largely eaten by certain birds (e.g. blackbirds, thrushes, wood-pigeons), but have poisoned children. The plant has long been said to be poisonous, but no definite case of poisoning of live stock has been discovered; possibly farm live stock would need to eat a considerable quantity for serious effects to be induced. Indeed, when keep is short, it is quite common in some districts to see Ivy strewed on the fields for cattle and sheep to eat, and it is very frequently given to sick animals by country people (Garnett).

Toxic Principle. This has not been closely studied, but ivy contains a bitter principle which is strongly cathartic, emetic and purgative. Ivy contains a poisonous glucoside Hederin (C₆₄H₁₀₄O₁₉) and a resin (Gummi hederæ).

Symptoms. As suggested above, it is doubtful whether animals have been poisoned by Ivy. Symptoms given appear to refer to children, and consist in sickness, diarrhœa, nervous symptoms, excitement at first, then convulsions and paralysis (Müller). Sickness and purgation (Esser).

Cornevin states that the symptoms are complex, emeto-purgative effects being present, with nervous symptoms resembling those of intoxication, viz. excitement, then coma, convulsions, uncertain gait, and stertorous respiration.

REFERENCES.

[73], [76], [81], [130], [208], [240].

CAPRIFOLIACEÆ.

Common Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) and Dwarf Elder (S. Ebulus L.). These two plants are usually avoided by stock, no doubt in view of their odour, more particularly in the case of the latter species. The bark, leaves and berries of both species were noticed by Cornevin as having pronounced purgative properties, and the berries of S. Ebulus as having poisoned turkeys. Esser remarks that the use of S. Ebulus by country folk as a purgative has caused fatal poisoning. The leaves of S. nigra have caused severe irritant poisoning in a child.

Toxic Principle. Some doubt exists as to the poisonous principle of the Elders, the leaves of which contain Sambunigrin (C₁₄H₁₇O₆N), a cyanogenetic glucoside; the alkaloid Sambucine; and a purgative principle. According to Cornevin drying reduces the toxicity but does not destroy it.

Symptoms. The symptoms are not very definite, but small quantities cause purgation, while large quantities induce depression and violent emetic and cathartic effects, with diarrhœa, abundant diuresis and acceleration of pulse. The leaves of S. Ebulus have caused vomiting, obstinate constipation and enteritis in a boy, and in the case of another boy the flowers caused vertigo and headache.