Cornevin’s observations show that the symptoms occur in three
consecutive stages,—(1) excitement, (2) coma and incoordination of
movement, and (3) convulsions. The order of the appearance, their
duration, and the association of each with the others depend upon the
susceptibility of the animal and the quantity ingested. Thus the
symptoms of excitement may be present alone if only a small quantity is
eaten; the duration of the symptoms in this case is never considerable,
and the normal is gradually regained. In general, however, the symptoms
are associated in pairs; thus when an average quantity is fed there is
excitement and coma but _no_ convulsions; when large quantities are fed
the first stage is suppressed or is so short as to be almost
imperceptible, the coma and convulsions being present simultaneously. As
regards temperature, there is, in stage (1) a rise, in stage (2) a drop,
and in stage (3) a rise again near death. In stages (2) and (3) there is
a slackening of respiration, the arterial tension is raised, there is an
increase in the number of pulsations and a modification of the rhythm.
In stage (3) near death there is a lowering of the arterial tension, and
the pulsations become gradually less perceptible, but with a uniform
rhythm; there is a slackening in respiration, and by the time this
finally ceases the heart beats have become imperceptible.
When _horses_, _asses_ or _mules_ have eaten a small quantity of the
seeds or leaves, there is simply yawning and uncertain gait, these
symptoms lasting for two hours, and the normal being regained after
urination. Considerable (but not fatal) quantities cause unsuccessful
attempts at vomiting, sometimes opisthotonos in asses, sweating,
muscular tremors, and then a deep coma which may last 15 hours. Fatal
quantities cause yawning, sexual excitement, accelerated and noisy
respiration, wheezing, muscular tremors followed by contractions which
commence in the posterior limbs and spread to the anterior limbs, facial
contractions, staggering and copious sweating. A rapid fall in
temperature follows, but there is a slight rise during the period of
convulsions; the pulse is at first quicker and stronger, but the number
of beats rapidly comes back to the normal, to rise again shortly before
death; the rhythm of the pulse is at first regular (in groups of 2, 3 or
4) but becomes irregular again just before death. The animal at length
falls, and cannot get up, the nostrils are distended, the mouth is wide
open, respiration becomes gradually slower, and death takes place in
great agony.
In cases of poisoning of horses and asses noticed by Pott animals that
could not vomit died very quickly. The symptoms were excitement, nausea,
coma, slower breathing, convulsions, paralysis of the motor nerves, and
finally cessation of the action of lungs and heart.
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