REFERENCES.
[4], [16], [73], [76], [79], [81], [161], [170], [187], [190], [203], [204], [205], [213], [229], [252], [257].
Lousewort (Pedicularis, sp.). Two species of lousewort are involved, P. palustris L. and P. sylvatica L., and though both are regarded as poisonous the extent to which they are so is not well known. They have an unpleasant smell and sharp taste, and are in general refused by all classes of stock. P. sylvatica may be eaten when young (Cornevin). Lindley says that both plants are acrid, but are eaten by goats. P. palustris is regarded by Pott as an acutely poisonous plant, especially for sheep. A decoction of these plants was formerly used against lice, and hence the trivial name.
Toxic Principle. Very little appears to be known about the poisonous principle, but, like Rhinanthus and Melampyrum, they have been found to contain the glucoside Rhinanthin (see p. [96]).
Symptoms. The plants are held to be emetic and purgative; to cause inflammation of the digestive tract, and to cause anæmia in cattle. Brugmann stated (vide Cornevin) that if, pressed by hunger, animals eat P. palustris, the first consequence is hæmaturia. Müller also notes hæmaturia.
REFERENCES.
[73], [76], [81], [190], [203], [213].
POLYGONACEÆ.
Docks (Rumex sp.). In general it is probable that but little harm is done by species of Rumex, but owing to the fact that Common Sorrel (R. Acetosa L.) and Sheep’s Sorrel (R. Acetosella L.) contain acid oxalates they may on occasion prove injurious. Instances have been recorded in which children have suffered from eating the leaves of the former species in considerable quantity, and both species have been accused by veterinary surgeons of poisoning horses and sheep, some sheep even dying. Pammel states that the Curled Dock (R. crispus L.) induces nausea, watery brown fæces, copious urination, dry spasmodic cough, and perspiration; but no record of the death of animals has been found.
In regard to R. Acetosella it is stated that in the horse a condition may be produced resembling drunkenness, with vacillating gait, salivation, muscular tremors, dilatation of pupils, relaxation of sphincters, and a feeble, slow, and intermittent pulse: then convulsive contraction of lips, retraction of the eyeball, accelerated and stertorous breathing, extreme dilatation of the nostrils, tetanic contraction of the muscles of the neck, back, and limbs, abundant sweating and falling. In bad cases after a period of extreme exhaustion, these symptoms are repeated, and death occurs in convulsions (Cornevin).