GENERAL ARTICLES. 205

term (Simpson and Spiegelberg). According to Simpson and others, the Romans did not seem to have been aware of the association of the" taura " with twinning.

I have to thank Professor J. Arthur Thomson for valuable refer­ences, and Mr Henderson for one undoubted specimen.

LITERATURE.

Allnatt. Lond. Med. Gaz., Vol. XVIII., 1836, p. 528. Geddes and Thomson. The Evolution of Sex. Second Edition. London:

Walter Scott 1901. Gurlt. Lehrbuch der path. anat. Haussaugethiere, 1833, Tab. XXII .,

figs. 2-5. Hart, D. Berry. "Mendelian Action on Differentiated Sex," Abstract,

hoc. Roy. Soc. of Edin., July 1909; Edin. Obstr. Trans., 1908-09, in ex tenso.

Hering. Repert der Thierheilk, 12 Jahrgang, 1851, p. 107. Hunter, John. Account of the Free-Martin: Obsen'ations on Certain

Parts of the Animal Economy. London, sold at No. 13 Castle Street, Leicester Square, 1786. (Vide also Atlas attached to Palmer's Edition of Hunter's Works.)

Numan, Dr A. "Memoire sur les vaches steriles," etc" Journal veter­inaire et agricole de Belgique, 1844. This is a translation of Numan's Dutch paper, but unfortunately the illustrations are not given.

Rueff. Repertor. d. Thierheilkunde von Hering, 12 J ahrg, 185 I., p. 103. Sanson, A. "Sur la Sterilite des Genisses jumelles de taureaux," Bul.

Soc. centro de medecine veterinaire, 4e Serie, Tome Ill. (1880), p. '132; Tome IV. (1881), p. 103. (This I have not seen.)

Scarpa. Opere varie del. Cay. A. Scarpa, etc. Vannoni, Firenze, 1845, 1., p. 175.

Simpson, Sir J. Y. On the Alleged Infecundity of Females born co-twin with Males. The Works of Sir J . Y. Simpson, Vol. 1., edited by J. Watt Black, M. D. Edinburgh: A. & C. Black. See also Article on "Herma­phroditism," Todd's Cyclopredia of Anat. and Phys., Vol. 11., 1836-39.

Spiegelberg. "Ueber die Verkiimmerung der Genitalien bei (angeblich) verschieden geschlechtlichen Zwillingskiilbern," Ztsch. fUr rationelle Medicin, Henle and Pfeufer, Drt. Reihe, Bd. XI.

REPORT ON EXPERIMENTS WITH THE WILD PAS­SION - FLOWER VINE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF CATTLE IN THE BEAUDESERT DISTRICT (QUEENSLAND).

By SYDNEY DODD, F .R.C.V.S. , Principal Veterinary Surgeon and Bacteriolog ist, Queensland,

FOR a number of years, especially during the dry season, con­side rable loss has been sustained by cattle owners in the scrub belts near Beaudesert owin g to the death of numbers of their stock, both in milking herds and in working bullocks.

According to the District Stock Inspector's Report the trouble has occurred year after year, and a large number of the cattle have d ied from some unknown but apparently identical cause, as the

GENERAL ARTICLES. 205

term (Simpson and Spiegelberg). According to Simpson and others, the Romans did not seem to have been aware of the association of the" taura " with twinning.

I have to thank Professor J. Arthur Thomson for valuable refer­ences, and Mr Henderson for one undoubted specimen.

LITERATURE.

Allnatt. Lond. Med. Gaz., Vol. XVIII., 1836, p. 528. Geddes and Thomson. The Evolution of Sex. Second Edition. London:

Walter Scott 1901. Gurlt. Lehrbuch der path. anat. Haussaugethiere, 1833, Tab. XXII .,

figs. 2-5. Hart, D. Berry. "Mendelian Action on Differentiated Sex," Abstract,

hoc. Roy. Soc. of Edin., July 1909; Edin. Obstr. Trans., 1908-09, in ex tenso.

Hering. Repert der Thierheilk, 12 Jahrgang, 1851, p. 107. Hunter, John. Account of the Free-Martin: Obsen'ations on Certain

Parts of the Animal Economy. London, sold at No. 13 Castle Street, Leicester Square, 1786. (Vide also Atlas attached to Palmer's Edition of Hunter's Works.)

Numan, Dr A. "Memoire sur les vaches steriles," etc" Journal veter­inaire et agricole de Belgique, 1844. This is a translation of Numan's Dutch paper, but unfortunately the illustrations are not given.

Rueff. Repertor. d. Thierheilkunde von Hering, 12 J ahrg, 185 I., p. 103. Sanson, A. "Sur la Sterilite des Genisses jumelles de taureaux," Bul.

Soc. centro de medecine veterinaire, 4e Serie, Tome Ill. (1880), p. '132; Tome IV. (1881), p. 103. (This I have not seen.)

Scarpa. Opere varie del. Cay. A. Scarpa, etc. Vannoni, Firenze, 1845, 1., p. 175.

Simpson, Sir J. Y. On the Alleged Infecundity of Females born co-twin with Males. The Works of Sir J . Y. Simpson, Vol. 1., edited by J. Watt Black, M. D. Edinburgh: A. & C. Black. See also Article on "Herma­phroditism," Todd's Cyclopredia of Anat. and Phys., Vol. 11., 1836-39.

Spiegelberg. "Ueber die Verkiimmerung der Genitalien bei (angeblich) verschieden geschlechtlichen Zwillingskiilbern," Ztsch. fUr rationelle Medicin, Henle and Pfeufer, Drt. Reihe, Bd. XI.

REPORT ON EXPERIMENTS WITH THE WILD PAS­SION - FLOWER VINE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF CATTLE IN THE BEAUDESERT DISTRICT (QUEENSLAND).

By SYDNEY DODD, F .R.C.V.S. , Principal Veterinary Surgeon and Bacteriolog ist, Queensland,

FOR a number of years, especially during the dry season, con­side rable loss has been sustained by cattle owners in the scrub belts near Beaudesert owin g to the death of numbers of their stock, both in milking herds and in working bullocks.

According to the District Stock Inspector's Report the trouble has occurred year after year, and a large number of the cattle have d ied from some unknown but apparently identical cause, as the

206 GENERAL ARTICLES.

symptoms shown by affected cattle had a great similarity. Between September and November of 1909 twelve had died in one dis­trict to his personal knowledge, and I subsequently found that others had died elsewhere during the same period. There is no doubt that the financial loss has been very heavy to some owners, as, especially where working bullocks were concerned, even if the affected animal did not die it was often impossible to work it for some time after­wards, and even then a relapse very often occurred. The reason for this latter will be seen later on.

So far as I have gathered, only cattle have been affected, but this, as it will subsequently be seen, may be chiefly because the cattle have had the greater opportunity to graze upon land where the causal agent has been existing.

The symptoms, as described by stock-owners, appeared to differ somewhat in individual cases, but on comparing the average symp­toms on one farm with those shown on another it could be seen that there was a great similarity between the various occurrences, the difference in mortality being most noticeable between milking cows and working bullocks, the latter suffering most. In one instance on a dairy farm the cows when being driven in to be milked were observed to stagger, drop to the ground suddenly, and struggle very much whilst down. Sometimes the affected animal would have only one fit,' and at others convulsions followed rapidly upon each other with only a short interval between. One cow died within fifteen minutes after the seizure. Another was apparently quite well one afternoon, and within half an hour after this it was stretched out upon the ground in violent convulsions. It died in less than half an hour in the midst of a seizure. As a rule, however, the animals did not die during the first attack.

In other cases the cows gradually ceased to yield their usual quantity of milk, and stood about the paddocks in a listless attitude, with their noses held close to the ground. The main featUre in these cases appeared to be great drowsiness, as if under the effects of a narcotic, and an evident loss of condition. Some animals recovered, whilst others died.

A symptom observed on other farms was that affected cows would stand constantly switching,their tails and turning their heads round towards their flanks, as if in pain.

In the case of working bullocks it was observed that animals which had hitherto been quite bright and intelligent at work became drowsy and stupid, it being often only with difficulty that they could be got to perform their usual task. Others appeared to be attacked suddenly whilst at work. \Vithout any warning they would suddenly drop to the ground in convulsions, and perhaps die shortly after­wards. The general opinion, however, was that if the working bullocks were rested for a time and put upon grass land ther appeared to make some recovery, but it was very slow and not always complete. Here, again, loss of flesh appeared to be a common accompaniment. In some cases the bowels were very constipated, in others diarrhcea was present.

At the end of September 1909 the Stock Inspector at Reaudesert reported that some working bullocks were dying on a farm near that place. The cause of the deaths was unknown, but poison was sus-

206 GENERAL ARTICLES.

symptoms shown by affected cattle had a great similarity. Between September and November of 1909 twelve had died in one dis­trict to his personal knowledge, and I subsequently found that others had died elsewhere during the same period. There is no doubt that the financial loss has been very heavy to some owners, as, especially where working bullocks were concerned, even if the affected animal did not die it was often impossible to work it for some time after­wards, and even then a relapse very often occurred. The reason for this latter will be seen later on.

So far as I have gathered, only cattle have been affected, but this, as it will subsequently be seen, may be chiefly because the cattle have had the greater opportunity to graze upon land where the causal agent has been existing.

The symptoms, as described by stock-owners, appeared to differ somewhat in individual cases, but on comparing the average symp­toms on one farm with those shown on another it could be seen that there was a great similarity between the various occurrences, the difference in mortality being most noticeable between milking cows and working bullocks, the latter suffering most. In one instance on a dairy farm the cows when being driven in to be milked were observed to stagger, drop to the ground suddenly, and struggle very much whilst down. Sometimes the affected animal would have only one fit,' and at others convulsions followed rapidly upon each other with only a short interval between. One cow died within fifteen minutes after the seizure. Another was apparently quite well one afternoon, and within half an hour after this it was stretched out upon the ground in violent convulsions. It died in less than half an hour in the midst of a seizure. As a rule, however, the animals did not die during the first attack.

In other cases the cows gradually ceased to yield their usual quantity of milk, and stood about the paddocks in a listless attitude, with their noses held close to the ground. The main featUre in these cases appeared to be great drowsiness, as if under the effects of a narcotic, and an evident loss of condition. Some animals recovered, whilst others died.

A symptom observed on other farms was that affected cows would stand constantly switching,their tails and turning their heads round towards their flanks, as if in pain.

In the case of working bullocks it was observed that animals which had hitherto been quite bright and intelligent at work became drowsy and stupid, it being often only with difficulty that they could be got to perform their usual task. Others appeared to be attacked suddenly whilst at work. \Vithout any warning they would suddenly drop to the ground in convulsions, and perhaps die shortly after­wards. The general opinion, however, was that if the working bullocks were rested for a time and put upon grass land ther appeared to make some recovery, but it was very slow and not always complete. Here, again, loss of flesh appeared to be a common accompaniment. In some cases the bowels were very constipated, in others diarrhcea was present.

At the end of September 1909 the Stock Inspector at Reaudesert reported that some working bullocks were dying on a farm near that place. The cause of the deaths was unknown, but poison was sus-

GENERAL ARTICLES.

pected, and the viscera from a dead animal wcre submitted to the chemist for analysis, with negative results. The symptoms observed in the affected animals were that they gradually fell away in condition and became very drowsy and sluggish at their work. Appetite was lost as a rule, and diarrhcea at times was marked. In the fatal cases the animal appeared to die in great agony and in convulsions. In other cases the illness appeared to last three weeks, or even longer. A post-mortelll examination was made by the owner on one animal, but nothing unusual was observed except that the paunch contained a quantity of wild passion-flower vine. A small sam pic of this vine was forwarded in order to ascertain whether its presence could be connected with the death of the animal, as it grew profusely and the cattle were known to graze upon it extensively.

The specimen was submitted to Mr Bailey, the Government botanist, who identified it as the white passion-flower vine (passi­flora alba). He states that it is a native of Brazil, but it has now become a naturalised weed in Queensland. It is very plentiful in some of the scrubs. I t had never previously been sent in as a suspected poi:;onous plant.

It was upon a farm adjoining the one in question, and upon exactly similar country, that heavy losses in cattle were experienced at the end of 1907 and also in September 1908, but the owner attributed the deaths to arsenical poisoning as the result of dipping, although no arsenic could be discovered upon analysis.

As the matter was urgent, I arranged to visit the locality without delay in order to carry out investigations. Arriving at the farm, I was first shown some working bullocks which had been ill but were slightly better. They were then being kept in a small paddock close to the house, having previously been feeding in the scrub. They were very poor in condition and had a drowsy appearance. Two had evidently been affected with diarrhcea, but a third, I was informed, had been constipated. The owner stated that when some of the sick cattle were removed from the scrub and fed in the yard they appeared to make some improvement.

An inspection was then made of the land upon which the cattle grazed. This was fairly recently felled scrub, showing a dense aftergrowth of young shrubs and many weeds of various descriptions. I t was soon made very evident that the cattle had been grazing upon a great variety of the weeds which grew in profusion, so that there was nothing specially to indicate which weed, if any, was causing the trouble. The passion - flower vine was very abundant. The owner stated that he knew the cattle ate considerable quantities of it, and it could be seen that the young succulent shoots had been grazed off. As circumstantial evidence in the shape of ingested vines in the paunch of the dead beast appeared to suggest this plant as the offender, it was decided to commence experiments with it.

Arrangements were therefore made to obtain a fresh supply of vines every morning. These were cut the previous evening, and were received at the laboratory at about 10 A.M., so that the\' arrived in quite fresh condition. .

It was also arranged to feed other plants should the vines prove innocent, but the following experiments show that it was not necessary to proceed any further.

GENERAL ARTICLES.

pected, and the viscera from a dead animal wcre submitted to the chemist for analysis, with negative results. The symptoms observed in the affected animals were that they gradually fell away in condition and became very drowsy and sluggish at their work. Appetite was lost as a rule, and diarrhcea at times was marked. In the fatal cases the animal appeared to die in great agony and in convulsions. In other cases the illness appeared to last three weeks, or even longer. A post-mortelll examination was made by the owner on one animal, but nothing unusual was observed except that the paunch contained a quantity of wild passion-flower vine. A small sam pic of this vine was forwarded in order to ascertain whether its presence could be connected with the death of the animal, as it grew profusely and the cattle were known to graze upon it extensively.

The specimen was submitted to Mr Bailey, the Government botanist, who identified it as the white passion-flower vine (passi­flora alba). He states that it is a native of Brazil, but it has now become a naturalised weed in Queensland. It is very plentiful in some of the scrubs. I t had never previously been sent in as a suspected poi:;onous plant.

It was upon a farm adjoining the one in question, and upon exactly similar country, that heavy losses in cattle were experienced at the end of 1907 and also in September 1908, but the owner attributed the deaths to arsenical poisoning as the result of dipping, although no arsenic could be discovered upon analysis.

As the matter was urgent, I arranged to visit the locality without delay in order to carry out investigations. Arriving at the farm, I was first shown some working bullocks which had been ill but were slightly better. They were then being kept in a small paddock close to the house, having previously been feeding in the scrub. They were very poor in condition and had a drowsy appearance. Two had evidently been affected with diarrhcea, but a third, I was informed, had been constipated. The owner stated that when some of the sick cattle were removed from the scrub and fed in the yard they appeared to make some improvement.

An inspection was then made of the land upon which the cattle grazed. This was fairly recently felled scrub, showing a dense aftergrowth of young shrubs and many weeds of various descriptions. I t was soon made very evident that the cattle had been grazing upon a great variety of the weeds which grew in profusion, so that there was nothing specially to indicate which weed, if any, was causing the trouble. The passion - flower vine was very abundant. The owner stated that he knew the cattle ate considerable quantities of it, and it could be seen that the young succulent shoots had been grazed off. As circumstantial evidence in the shape of ingested vines in the paunch of the dead beast appeared to suggest this plant as the offender, it was decided to commence experiments with it.

Arrangements were therefore made to obtain a fresh supply of vines every morning. These were cut the previous evening, and were received at the laboratory at about 10 A.M., so that the\' arrived in quite fresh condition. .

It was also arranged to feed other plants should the vines prove innocent, but the following experiments show that it was not necessary to proceed any further.

208 GENERAL ARTICLES.

Feedillg Experimellts with Wild Passion-Flower Vine (Passiflora Alba).

Experi11letlt ~Vo. I.-8th October 1909. Commenced feeding a heifer eignteen months old with fresh passion-flower vines. The vines were weighed at first with the intention of ascertaining what amount, if any, was necessary to cause illness; but, as the animal only ate the succulent tops and rejected the remainder, it was found impracticable to ascertain with certainty what amount had been con­sumed. The animal was fed three times a day, and no other food was given except where noted, but even then it did not take ,veIl to the vines, and only ate a small quantity daily.

22nd October (fourteen days from the commencement of feeding). Marked constipation, the f<eces very scanty and hard. The heifer, which has hitherto been quite bright and healthy, appears slightly dull. Temperature and pulse normal. Loss of flesh evident, but this may be because of eating little food, and not to the injurious action of the vines.

26th October. Supply of vines ceased. Recommenced feeding with barley straw containing grain. Appetite very poor, however. Previous to commencing the experiment it ate the barley straw with relish, but now does not appear to care for it.

27th October. Animal dull. Has a drowsy appearance. Not easily disturbed. Marked constipation. Not feeding. Mucous membranes brick-red in colour. Weak in hind quarters.

28th October. Heifer very dull to-night. Eating very little. There is a profuse flow of frothy saliva from the mouth when masticating its food. Some difficulty in deglutition.

29th October. Still very dull and listless. F<eces hard and scanty. Salivation marked. Eating very little.

30th October. Marked pain over loins on pressure. Ptosis. General condition as before. Difficulty in swallowing more marked.

31st October. Rumination ceased. Jugular pulsation; tempera­ture and respirations normal. Animal appears more drowsy and dull.

1st and 2nd November. Recommenced feeding vines. Heifer, however, partakes of very little.

3rd to 6th November. Drowsiness and general weakness more marked. Animal remains for some time in whatever position it is placed. Its usual attitude is to stand against the side of the stall with its head almost touching the ground. Pulse slow but fairly strong. The flow of frothy saliva has been a marked feature every day. If slight pressure is put upon the loins the animal almost drops to the ground. Pupils contracted. The head is often turned round to the right flank as if in pain, or pressed to the side whilst the neck is quite rigid as in a tetanic ~pasm.

7th November. The symptoms have suddenly become urgent and alarming. Has had several epileptiform fits during the day, these being immediately preceded by slight premonitory symptoms. At first there is a slight quivering of the eyelids. rapidly followed by a twitching of the face. Within a few seconds the animal, which has hitherto been standing very quietly, suddenly rushes backwards as far as its fastening will allow, then it falls over in convulsions, the

208 GENERAL ARTICLES.

Feedillg Experimellts with Wild Passion-Flower Vine (Passiflora Alba).

Experi11letlt ~Vo. I.-8th October 1909. Commenced feeding a heifer eignteen months old with fresh passion-flower vines. The vines were weighed at first with the intention of ascertaining what amount, if any, was necessary to cause illness; but, as the animal only ate the succulent tops and rejected the remainder, it was found impracticable to ascertain with certainty what amount had been con­sumed. The animal was fed three times a day, and no other food was given except where noted, but even then it did not take ,veIl to the vines, and only ate a small quantity daily.

22nd October (fourteen days from the commencement of feeding). Marked constipation, the f<eces very scanty and hard. The heifer, which has hitherto been quite bright and healthy, appears slightly dull. Temperature and pulse normal. Loss of flesh evident, but this may be because of eating little food, and not to the injurious action of the vines.

26th October. Supply of vines ceased. Recommenced feeding with barley straw containing grain. Appetite very poor, however. Previous to commencing the experiment it ate the barley straw with relish, but now does not appear to care for it.

27th October. Animal dull. Has a drowsy appearance. Not easily disturbed. Marked constipation. Not feeding. Mucous membranes brick-red in colour. Weak in hind quarters.

28th October. Heifer very dull to-night. Eating very little. There is a profuse flow of frothy saliva from the mouth when masticating its food. Some difficulty in deglutition.

29th October. Still very dull and listless. F<eces hard and scanty. Salivation marked. Eating very little.

30th October. Marked pain over loins on pressure. Ptosis. General condition as before. Difficulty in swallowing more marked.

31st October. Rumination ceased. Jugular pulsation; tempera­ture and respirations normal. Animal appears more drowsy and dull.

1st and 2nd November. Recommenced feeding vines. Heifer, however, partakes of very little.

3rd to 6th November. Drowsiness and general weakness more marked. Animal remains for some time in whatever position it is placed. Its usual attitude is to stand against the side of the stall with its head almost touching the ground. Pulse slow but fairly strong. The flow of frothy saliva has been a marked feature every day. If slight pressure is put upon the loins the animal almost drops to the ground. Pupils contracted. The head is often turned round to the right flank as if in pain, or pressed to the side whilst the neck is quite rigid as in a tetanic ~pasm.

7th November. The symptoms have suddenly become urgent and alarming. Has had several epileptiform fits during the day, these being immediately preceded by slight premonitory symptoms. At first there is a slight quivering of the eyelids. rapidly followed by a twitching of the face. Within a few seconds the animal, which has hitherto been standing very quietly, suddenly rushes backwards as far as its fastening will allow, then it falls over in convulsions, the

GENERAL ARTICLES. 209

whole of the body being markedly affected. The fit lasts about a minute and the attack suddenly ceases, the animal almost at once rising to its feet, although looking very dazed. After about an interval of one or two minutes the animal has another sei7ure, pre­ceded by the same warnings as before. After a number of fits the attack passed, leaving the animal utterly exhausted and dazed. In the afternoon the animal lay down, and could only rise with great difficulty.

8th November. Animal still down and unable to rise. There are no distinct convulsions as yesterday, but there are tetanus -like spasms of the extremities. Head sometimes turned round and rest­ing on right flank. Animal appears conscious, but unable to move. Mucou~ membrane congested. Pulse 76, weak; respirations 40 and very shallow. Animal having become moribund in the afternoon, was chloroformed to death and a Post-lllortem examination at once held.

Autopsy.-General condition very poor. Immediately upon death about 2 gallons of greenish fluid ran from the mouth and nostrils. Lungs normal. Heart rather flabby. Numerous h;emorrhages into endocardium of left ventricle; none into right ventricle or auricles. Spleen smaller than normal and very firm. Liver: A few signs of cirrhosis, but otherwise normal to naked eye. Gall bladder: Mucous membrane slightly congested. Kidneys: Con­gested, rather firmer than normal, capsule easily stripped off. A number of white infarcts, about size of a rice grain, scattered over surface of both kidneys. Reticulum and rumen: Contain less than the normal quantity of ingesta, composed mainly of passion-flower vine. Omasum: Contents scanty and very pultaceous. Abomasum: Mucous membrane slightly congested. Intestines: Contain very little ingesta. A few small patches of congestion in duodenum, but otherwise normal in appearance. Lymphatic glands generally somewhat congested. Brain normal in appearance.

Experiment No. 2.-COW No.8. An aged cow, poor in condition, but very bright. Had been tested for tuberculosis, but gave no reaction.

2nd November. Commenced feeding fresh vines. The amount given was not weighed, and the animal ate them with avidity at first. No other food was given.

8th November. Cow appears to be tiring of the vine. Is not eating so much, and is leaving the coarser stalks. Slight constipa­tion. A little dull in appearance, and appears slightly weak in hind quarters

4.30 p.m. Animal suddenly broke loose from the chain fastening it to the stall and rushed madly down the stables; near the end of the passage it stopped short, staggered, and then fell backwards in convulsions. Fits then succeeded each other for about twenty minutes, with an interval of a minute or two between them. The first premonitory symptoms of the onset of a fit was a qujvering of the eyelids, then a sharp twitching of the face, and then, rapidly following on, a convulsion of the whole body. A second or two before the convulsions became general the cow encieavoured to run backwards, but almost immediately fell to the ground. Each fit lasted from about one to three minutes. During the interval between the convulsions the cow would either rise to its feet in a very dazed

()

GENERAL ARTICLES. 209

whole of the body being markedly affected. The fit lasts about a minute and the attack suddenly ceases, the animal almost at once rising to its feet, although looking very dazed. After about an interval of one or two minutes the animal has another sei7ure, pre­ceded by the same warnings as before. After a number of fits the attack passed, leaving the animal utterly exhausted and dazed. In the afternoon the animal lay down, and could only rise with great difficulty.

8th November. Animal still down and unable to rise. There are no distinct convulsions as yesterday, but there are tetanus -like spasms of the extremities. Head sometimes turned round and rest­ing on right flank. Animal appears conscious, but unable to move. Mucou~ membrane congested. Pulse 76, weak; respirations 40 and very shallow. Animal having become moribund in the afternoon, was chloroformed to death and a Post-lllortem examination at once held.

Autopsy.-General condition very poor. Immediately upon death about 2 gallons of greenish fluid ran from the mouth and nostrils. Lungs normal. Heart rather flabby. Numerous h;emorrhages into endocardium of left ventricle; none into right ventricle or auricles. Spleen smaller than normal and very firm. Liver: A few signs of cirrhosis, but otherwise normal to naked eye. Gall bladder: Mucous membrane slightly congested. Kidneys: Con­gested, rather firmer than normal, capsule easily stripped off. A number of white infarcts, about size of a rice grain, scattered over surface of both kidneys. Reticulum and rumen: Contain less than the normal quantity of ingesta, composed mainly of passion-flower vine. Omasum: Contents scanty and very pultaceous. Abomasum: Mucous membrane slightly congested. Intestines: Contain very little ingesta. A few small patches of congestion in duodenum, but otherwise normal in appearance. Lymphatic glands generally somewhat congested. Brain normal in appearance.

Experiment No. 2.-COW No.8. An aged cow, poor in condition, but very bright. Had been tested for tuberculosis, but gave no reaction.

2nd November. Commenced feeding fresh vines. The amount given was not weighed, and the animal ate them with avidity at first. No other food was given.

8th November. Cow appears to be tiring of the vine. Is not eating so much, and is leaving the coarser stalks. Slight constipa­tion. A little dull in appearance, and appears slightly weak in hind quarters

4.30 p.m. Animal suddenly broke loose from the chain fastening it to the stall and rushed madly down the stables; near the end of the passage it stopped short, staggered, and then fell backwards in convulsions. Fits then succeeded each other for about twenty minutes, with an interval of a minute or two between them. The first premonitory symptoms of the onset of a fit was a qujvering of the eyelids, then a sharp twitching of the face, and then, rapidly following on, a convulsion of the whole body. A second or two before the convulsions became general the cow encieavoured to run backwards, but almost immediately fell to the ground. Each fit lasted from about one to three minutes. During the interval between the convulsions the cow would either rise to its feet in a very dazed

()

210 GENERAL ARTICLES.

condition or lie upon its side as if stupefied. After the final convul­sion the cow rose to its feet. It was very weak and dazed, but made great efforts not to fall. Saliva ran from the mouth profusely, and the cheeks were puffed out. Pupils were contracted. The tail was continually being switched to and fro.

6.30 p.m. The fits have quite disappeared. Animal is standing with its head near the ground. Very dull. Has not moved for some time.

9th November. Cow drank a little during the night, but had refused food. Pu\se 48, fairly strong. Very dull. Pupils con­tracted. Marked salivation; also a dirty, slimy discharge from the nostrils. When taken into the yard its power of co-ordination appeared almost lost, the animal swaying and staggering about when it attempted to move. Appeared uncertain where to place its legs. Vision appears unimpaired, however.

Noon. Animal very drowsy. Has been resting its head on a bar in front of the manger all the morning, making no attempt to move. Is indifferent to sudden noises. Pupils slightly more contracted. Motions slight and not very firm. Ruminating a little. Profuse salivation.

10th November. 9 a.m. Animal continues very dull. No further fits. Has eaten nothing since 8th instant. Drinks very sparingly. No f<eces passed since morning of 9th instant. Pulse 40, weak but regular. Mucous membranes slightly injected.

2 p.m. Cow eating a little, but is very drowsy. Appears to be falling asleep whilst eating.

S p.m. Animal feeding a little, but still very drowsy. Eyes swollen and suffused. Muffle dry. Has passed a little dung, which is fairly hard.

11th November. 9 a.m. General appearance of animal and the stall indicates that the animal has had some severe convulsions during the night It is now, however, very dull and drowsy­looking. Makes no attempt to move, and appears to be falling asleep whilst standing. Slight jugular pulse; frothing at the mouth very marked.

Noon. Cow has had several convulsions this morning, each pre­ceded by the usual warnings, viz., twitching of the eyes, then the face, then a running backwards rapidly, followed by general convul­sions. It is now quiet, but very exhausted.

S p.m. Condition remains practically the same-drowsy, etc. Very little food taken.

12th November. 9 a.m. Animal in same condition. Very dull indeed, and standing with head touching the floor of the stall.

Noon. Not quite so drowsy, standing with head thrust well forward. Pupils contracted. Pulse 72, weak. Appears to get a slight spasm of the neck occasionally.

2 p.m. Salivation very marked. Animal turned loose into the yard. It, makes no attempt to walk, but stands exactly in the same position as when freed. Appears to be falling asleep, and almost falls down, only recovering by a great effort, and then lapsing into the somnolent state again.

S p.m. Returned to stall. Condition unchanged. Has eaten nothing since morning, when a very little vine was partaken of.

210 GENERAL ARTICLES.

condition or lie upon its side as if stupefied. After the final convul­sion the cow rose to its feet. It was very weak and dazed, but made great efforts not to fall. Saliva ran from the mouth profusely, and the cheeks were puffed out. Pupils were contracted. The tail was continually being switched to and fro.

6.30 p.m. The fits have quite disappeared. Animal is standing with its head near the ground. Very dull. Has not moved for some time.

9th November. Cow drank a little during the night, but had refused food. Pu\se 48, fairly strong. Very dull. Pupils con­tracted. Marked salivation; also a dirty, slimy discharge from the nostrils. When taken into the yard its power of co-ordination appeared almost lost, the animal swaying and staggering about when it attempted to move. Appeared uncertain where to place its legs. Vision appears unimpaired, however.

Noon. Animal very drowsy. Has been resting its head on a bar in front of the manger all the morning, making no attempt to move. Is indifferent to sudden noises. Pupils slightly more contracted. Motions slight and not very firm. Ruminating a little. Profuse salivation.

10th November. 9 a.m. Animal continues very dull. No further fits. Has eaten nothing since 8th instant. Drinks very sparingly. No f<eces passed since morning of 9th instant. Pulse 40, weak but regular. Mucous membranes slightly injected.

2 p.m. Cow eating a little, but is very drowsy. Appears to be falling asleep whilst eating.

S p.m. Animal feeding a little, but still very drowsy. Eyes swollen and suffused. Muffle dry. Has passed a little dung, which is fairly hard.

11th November. 9 a.m. General appearance of animal and the stall indicates that the animal has had some severe convulsions during the night It is now, however, very dull and drowsy­looking. Makes no attempt to move, and appears to be falling asleep whilst standing. Slight jugular pulse; frothing at the mouth very marked.

Noon. Cow has had several convulsions this morning, each pre­ceded by the usual warnings, viz., twitching of the eyes, then the face, then a running backwards rapidly, followed by general convul­sions. It is now quiet, but very exhausted.

S p.m. Condition remains practically the same-drowsy, etc. Very little food taken.

12th November. 9 a.m. Animal in same condition. Very dull indeed, and standing with head touching the floor of the stall.

Noon. Not quite so drowsy, standing with head thrust well forward. Pupils contracted. Pulse 72, weak. Appears to get a slight spasm of the neck occasionally.

2 p.m. Salivation very marked. Animal turned loose into the yard. It, makes no attempt to walk, but stands exactly in the same position as when freed. Appears to be falling asleep, and almost falls down, only recovering by a great effort, and then lapsing into the somnolent state again.

S p.m. Returned to stall. Condition unchanged. Has eaten nothing since morning, when a very little vine was partaken of.

GENERAL ARTICLES. 211

13th November. 9 a.m. Pulse 72, weak. Marked jugular pulsa­tion. Cow still very dull, but the drowsy appearance is not so noticeable. It is standing up, but is easily made to stagger by a slight push, and regains its equilibrium with great difficulty. There are slight general muscular tremors. The neck is contracted on one side, so that its head is almost touching the right flank. There appears to be some abdominal pain, which, however, is not acute. Frothing from mouth marked; also a thick straw-coloured discharge from the nostrils. No f.:eces passed.

1 I a.m. Cow has had several fits, but is now recovered. It is now standing up but in a semi-unconscious state and very exhausted. It fell forward upon its head and remained in this position for at least three minutes without moving, and then regained its feet with great difficulty.

Noon. Cow down. Breathing stertorously. Comatose, slight muscular spasms of the neck.

The animal died during the night. A post-mortem examination was made at 9 a.m. the next morning

-14th November. Autopsy.-General condition very poor. A number of superficial

wounds upon hind quarters received during the convulsions. Upon the body being lifted about 3 or 4 gallons of yellow turbid fluid gushed from the mouth and nostrils. Lungs: Left apex shows a small area, about 3 inches in diameter, of fibroid pneumonia. A number of hydatids scattered throughout the lungs. Lymphatic glands: Swollen and intensely congested. Heart: About 4 ounces of a clear straw-coloured liquid in the pericardium. Numerous h.:emorrhages upon the epicardium. A few h.:emorrhages into the endocardium of right ventricle. Spleen normal. Kidneys very congested. Liver: Congested, slightly cirrhotic. Numerous angio­mata. Bladder: Urine of a reddish tint. Stomach normal. Rumer contained a quantity of passion-flower vine. Intestines: Recent h.:emorrhages scattered throughout. The large colon, c.:ecum, and rectum show marked evidence of very extensive old h.:emorrhage along the course of the blood vessels. Meninges of brain and spinal cord very congested.

The foregoing experiments leave no room for doubt that the passion-flower vine was responsible for the illness and deaths among the cattle where the investigations were made, and that it has been the cause of a great deal of the illness among the cattle of that district.

One feature brought out by the experiments is of great interest, viz., that the poisonous property of the vine is of a cumulative nature, and that evidently a certain amount of the material must be eaten before symptoms of poisoning are made manifest. In the first experiment the animal ate very sparingly of the vine, and, conse­quently, marked symptoms did not develop until about .twenty days afterwards, and the convulsions not until nearly a month from the commencement of feeding. The other symptoms, however, were shown on the fourteenth day, but in cases occurring among cattle grazing in a paddock these would in practice often be overlooked by the owner.

GENERAL ARTICLES. 211

13th November. 9 a.m. Pulse 72, weak. Marked jugular pulsa­tion. Cow still very dull, but the drowsy appearance is not so noticeable. It is standing up, but is easily made to stagger by a slight push, and regains its equilibrium with great difficulty. There are slight general muscular tremors. The neck is contracted on one side, so that its head is almost touching the right flank. There appears to be some abdominal pain, which, however, is not acute. Frothing from mouth marked; also a thick straw-coloured discharge from the nostrils. No f.:eces passed.

1 I a.m. Cow has had several fits, but is now recovered. It is now standing up but in a semi-unconscious state and very exhausted. It fell forward upon its head and remained in this position for at least three minutes without moving, and then regained its feet with great difficulty.

Noon. Cow down. Breathing stertorously. Comatose, slight muscular spasms of the neck.

The animal died during the night. A post-mortem examination was made at 9 a.m. the next morning

-14th November. Autopsy.-General condition very poor. A number of superficial

wounds upon hind quarters received during the convulsions. Upon the body being lifted about 3 or 4 gallons of yellow turbid fluid gushed from the mouth and nostrils. Lungs: Left apex shows a small area, about 3 inches in diameter, of fibroid pneumonia. A number of hydatids scattered throughout the lungs. Lymphatic glands: Swollen and intensely congested. Heart: About 4 ounces of a clear straw-coloured liquid in the pericardium. Numerous h.:emorrhages upon the epicardium. A few h.:emorrhages into the endocardium of right ventricle. Spleen normal. Kidneys very congested. Liver: Congested, slightly cirrhotic. Numerous angio­mata. Bladder: Urine of a reddish tint. Stomach normal. Rumer contained a quantity of passion-flower vine. Intestines: Recent h.:emorrhages scattered throughout. The large colon, c.:ecum, and rectum show marked evidence of very extensive old h.:emorrhage along the course of the blood vessels. Meninges of brain and spinal cord very congested.

The foregoing experiments leave no room for doubt that the passion-flower vine was responsible for the illness and deaths among the cattle where the investigations were made, and that it has been the cause of a great deal of the illness among the cattle of that district.

One feature brought out by the experiments is of great interest, viz., that the poisonous property of the vine is of a cumulative nature, and that evidently a certain amount of the material must be eaten before symptoms of poisoning are made manifest. In the first experiment the animal ate very sparingly of the vine, and, conse­quently, marked symptoms did not develop until about .twenty days afterwards, and the convulsions not until nearly a month from the commencement of feeding. The other symptoms, however, were shown on the fourteenth day, but in cases occurring among cattle grazing in a paddock these would in practice often be overlooked by the owner.

212 GENERAL ARTICLES.

In connection with curative treatment, whatever is adopted. the fact should not be lost sight of that the power of deglutition is impaired in some cases, and therefore drenches should be given with care, or even forbidden altogether, owing to the danger of such going the" wrong way."

STRANGLES. l

By Captain A. G. TODD, A.V.c., Aldershot.

STRANGLES was one of the first of equine diseases described by the earliest writers in veterinary science. They remarked on its enzootic character, its contagiousness, and its frequency in young animals com­pared with old. Solleysel described it, in 1664, as a disease which young horses had to pass through in the same way as children had to pass through small-pox. Convinced of its contagious nature, he recommended the isolation of the affected, and pointed out that the most common way for horses to become infected was by drinking out of buckets which had been previously used for affected animals. Lafosse proved by experiments, in 1790, that it was contagious, and Viborg confirmed this in 1802.

In 1873 Rivolta observed chains of cocci in the pus of abscesses, but Schutz,2 in 1888, was the first to publish a detailed description of the organism. Sand, Jensen, Poels, Baruchello, and many others have since contributed to the bacteriology of the subject.

The cause of strangles is the streptococcus equi, which is found in large numbers in the nasal discharge and abscesses which are charac­teristic of the disease. In unbroken abscesses it is found pure, but in the nasal discharge it is associated with other microbes. The pre­vailing form of organism is an undulating chain of cocci, each chain being made up of 30 to 60 organisms. The length of the chain varies with the situation; in throat abscesses they are longer than in the nasal discharge, where individual cocci, diplococci, and short chains are principally found. This variation in the length of the chains is due to its surroundings. A similar condition may be observed in different culture media, the more liquid they are the longer the chain, and '[lice versa. The method of reproduction is by transverse division.

The organism stains well with all aniline dyes, and retains the stain by the method of Gram.

Biological Characters. Growth takes' place on most media at room temperature. It is

both a:robic and ana:robic. and is non-motile. Bouillon.-In bouillon a white deposit may be seen after twenty­

four hours' growth resting at the bottom of the tube. When shaken the fluid becomes turbid, but the deposit soon settles, leaving the upper part of the tube clear. The growth, which consists mostly of long chains of streptococci, is more abundant when serum is added to the medium.

1 Contributed to the Proceedings of the National Veterinary Association, July 1910. ~ Schiitz: Translation in "Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics," Yo!. I.

212 GENERAL ARTICLES.

In connection with curative treatment, whatever is adopted. the fact should not be lost sight of that the power of deglutition is impaired in some cases, and therefore drenches should be given with care, or even forbidden altogether, owing to the danger of such going the" wrong way."

STRANGLES. l

By Captain A. G. TODD, A.V.c., Aldershot.

STRANGLES was one of the first of equine diseases described by the earliest writers in veterinary science. They remarked on its enzootic character, its contagiousness, and its frequency in young animals com­pared with old. Solleysel described it, in 1664, as a disease which young horses had to pass through in the same way as children had to pass through small-pox. Convinced of its contagious nature, he recommended the isolation of the affected, and pointed out that the most common way for horses to become infected was by drinking out of buckets which had been previously used for affected animals. Lafosse proved by experiments, in 1790, that it was contagious, and Viborg confirmed this in 1802.

In 1873 Rivolta observed chains of cocci in the pus of abscesses, but Schutz,2 in 1888, was the first to publish a detailed description of the organism. Sand, Jensen, Poels, Baruchello, and many others have since contributed to the bacteriology of the subject.

The cause of strangles is the streptococcus equi, which is found in large numbers in the nasal discharge and abscesses which are charac­teristic of the disease. In unbroken abscesses it is found pure, but in the nasal discharge it is associated with other microbes. The pre­vailing form of organism is an undulating chain of cocci, each chain being made up of 30 to 60 organisms. The length of the chain varies with the situation; in throat abscesses they are longer than in the nasal discharge, where individual cocci, diplococci, and short chains are principally found. This variation in the length of the chains is due to its surroundings. A similar condition may be observed in different culture media, the more liquid they are the longer the chain, and '[lice versa. The method of reproduction is by transverse division.

The organism stains well with all aniline dyes, and retains the stain by the method of Gram.

Biological Characters. Growth takes' place on most media at room temperature. It is

both a:robic and ana:robic. and is non-motile. Bouillon.-In bouillon a white deposit may be seen after twenty­

four hours' growth resting at the bottom of the tube. When shaken the fluid becomes turbid, but the deposit soon settles, leaving the upper part of the tube clear. The growth, which consists mostly of long chains of streptococci, is more abundant when serum is added to the medium.

1 Contributed to the Proceedings of the National Veterinary Association, July 1910. ~ Schiitz: Translation in "Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics," Yo!. I.