_Symptoms._ In quantities which are not fatal the symptoms are nausea, dilatation of pupils, muscular weakness, stumbling, falling, and rising only to fall again. These are followed by vertigo, frenzy, and coma (more rarely). There is a slight slackening in respiration, and an increase in the rapidity of the heart’s action. Dysury and constipation are observed. In fatal quantities the symptoms are more intense and make their appearance more rapidly. The nausea is accompanied by vomiting, and there is almost complete loss of sight. Sensitiveness is at first increased but later diminishes and gradually disappears; complete incoordination of movements; increase in the heart’s action but a gradually weakening pulse; stertorous, painful respiration; decrease in temperature. There is repeated urination at the commencement of the poisoning, and then dysury. At the approach of death there are muscular trembling and clonic contractions. This phase of convulsions is short but very clear in some cases: other cases do not leave the deep coma in which they are plunged (Cornevin). In regard to _cattle_, the following symptoms are given by Müller: Injury to sight, dilatation of pupils, constipation, later bloody evacuations, pain in hind limbs, rapid pulse, difficult breathing, restlessness, frenzy and finally paralysis. REFERENCES. 4, 16, 61, 73, 81, 128, 138, 143, 151, 157, 161, 190, 205. CHAPTER V SCROPHULARINEÆ =Foxglove= (_Digitalis purpurea_ L.). The Foxglove has been recognized as poisonous for centuries, and one of its trivial names is Dead Men’s Bells—a name suggestive of the consequences of taking it. It is the source of the well-known drug; and cases of human poisoning have been very common, though by no means always fatal—indeed, Esser says “seldom resulting in death.” Animals are not known to touch this plant, but it may possibly be included in rough meadow hay, though only one case, in which two cows and a horse became ill after eating hay containing dry foxgloves, has come to notice (_Veterinary Record_, 1906). Cornevin, however, experimented on animals, and found the following amounts of fresh leaves capable of causing death in the animals specified:— Horse 120–140 grammes (4 to 5 oz.) Ox 160–180 „ (5·5 to 6·5 oz.) Sheep 25– 30 „ (0·88 to 1 oz.) Pig 15– 20 „ (0·5 to 0·7 oz.) The weight of dried leaves would be only one-fourth of these figures. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous, but especially the seeds, and the leaves are more active before than after the flowering period. Cultivated varieties are stated to be less toxic than the wild species. The effects of poisoning may terminate fatally in a few hours, or if small quantities are taken regularly the poison may be cumulative and induce chronic poisoning.