[3]. On the other hand, potatoes grown in a dry sandy soil are stated to contain more Solanine than those grown in other soils.
Writing in 1887 Cornevin remarked that Solanine, though neither very active nor very abundant in Potatoes, nevertheless causes accidents, as it is cumulative, or, to be more exact, is eliminated slowly.
Symptoms. In poisoning by potato haulm, Cornevin records constipation, loss of appetite, rise in temperature, accelerated circulation, normal respiration, salivation, tumefaction of eyelids, eyes watery, conjunctivæ injected, and hair erect. The skin is covered with scabs which exude matter, the skin being cracked. These scabs are found especially on the scrotum of male cattle and the udder of female cattle, but also in the caudal region and round the anus. An examination of the mouth shows places on the upper jaw which are devoid of mucus and are purulent at the centre, the mucus round the edges being swollen. The posterior members are similarly but not so badly affected. Movement of these members seems to cause the animal much pain. Defecation is frequent, the fæces being liquid and dark in colour. The animals are recumbent for a considerable time with the posterior members stretched out. In the worst cases there is pronounced emaciation.
According to Friedberger and Fröhner (vide Pammel) animals affected by potato tops show symptoms resembling those of foot-and-mouth disease.
According to Pott the berries cause colic and foul smelling diarrhœa in cattle. A German veterinary surgeon after feeding the green plant observed symptoms of delirium, paralysis, and flatulence. In other cases trembling and uncertain gait, with paralysis of the spinal cord, have been observed in cows.
In poisoning by tubers there is depression, loss of appetite, cessation of lactation, gritting of teeth, profound prostration, with a remarkable somnolence, but no dilatation of the pupils. The animals remain recumbent, with closed eyes, and refuse to get up. Respiration is somewhat retarded, and the pulse is small and accelerated. There are digestive disturbances, tympanitis, diarrhœa succeeds constipation, and there is vomiting (where possible). The poisoning is usually fatal.
Where a large quantity of sprouted Potatoes has been fed the prostration becomes paraplegia, with loss of sensibility, stupefaction, and death. Where there is prolonged ingestion of a large quantity of unsprouted tubers there is prostration, intestinal irritation, rapid emaciation and death in marasmus after an illness of from one to three weeks (Cornevin).
Pott states that potatoes diseased with wet rot, when fed raw, cause digestive troubles, bloating, diarrhœa, abortion, and decrease in milk yield, with fatal results in some cases. Potatoes diseased with dry rot cause constipation in sucking pigs, and a “fishy” butter from cow’s milk.
Lander notices two cases of poisoning of horses by tubers. In the first case the symptoms were a small and weak pulse, normal temperature and loss of coordination in movements; complete loss of appetite, excessive thirst, but inability to drink; mydriasis, stertorous breathing, suspension of peristalsis, and slight tremors over the crural muscles. In the second case there was a rapid and feeble pulse, temperature 103° F., intense congestion of the mucous membranes, and very fœtid diarrhœa, terminating fatally.
In poisoning of horses after receiving large quantities of raw Potatoes, Pott records boil-like swellings on the skin, loss of hair, diarrhœa, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, skin irritation, and swollen fetlocks and hocks.