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.

In reference to the horses mentioned above (p. 55) it is stated that an affected animal seems dull, and dies within twelve hours after being first observed, without evincing any sign of pain. The first symptoms in ten cases were weakness and loss of power over the limbs.

In cows the symptoms (Müller) are loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhœa, staggering, dilatation of pupils, convulsions, loss of sensation and paralysis. In many cases, however, these symptoms do not appear, but instead there are outbreaks on the skin of the hind legs similar to those in foot-and-mouth disease. Pott mentions abortion as a symptom. After the ingestion of green Potato parings by dairy cows he remarks catarrh of the stomach and intestines, and bad milk and cheese; consumption of diseased Potato parings resulted in the flow of hard mucus from the mouth, the legs being badly swollen, and covered with scabs, and the mouth and body covered with boils. Symptoms of paralysis were noticed after feeding dirty Potato parings to four cows and four bulls, and one cow died.

In the case of the cows already referred to (p. 55) as poisoned in Germany, it was remarked as a noticeable feature in both instances that there was the appearance of eczema on the hind limbs, causing lameness.

A case in which pigs were fed on uncooked, sprouted Potatoes is noticed by Chesnut and Wilcox; there was slowly progressing paralysis, which became complete after about 24 hours, increased salivation, and a regurgitation of the stomach contents. According to Pott death may result in pigs. The symptoms given by Lander for poisoning in pigs are loss of appetite, dullness, exhaustion, imperceptible pulse, watery diarrhœa, low temperature and comatose condition.

In the case of the poisoned soldiers the symptoms were those of acute gastro-enteritis; rise in temperature to 103° F.; headache, colic, diarrhœa, general debility; in some cases vomiting, in others nausea only; several men fainted, and one had convulsions; the majority were drowsy and apathetic; but all recovered.

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna L.). This plant has long been known to be exceedingly poisonous, all parts containing a toxic principle. Both man and domestic animals may be poisoned, though the latter are very unlikely to touch the plant. As regards man, children are most likely to be affected, owing to the attractive character of the large bright black berries. Domestic animals appear to be rarely poisoned and are less affected than man, and in any case the susceptibility of various species—and even individuals of the same species—is very variable. Human beings are most susceptible, followed by the cat and dog; the horse is much less so; and the pig, goat, sheep, and rabbit are little susceptible to poisoning, even on eating the root—the most poisonous part (Cornevin). Gohier and others have given over 2 lb. of the green plant to horses without ill effects, and this repeated on three days did not cause marked pathological troubles. Hertwig considered large ruminants to be more sensible than horses to the action of Belladonna. It appears to be agreed that small ruminants are very slightly susceptible to this plant. Birds are considered almost insensitive, while rabbits may be fed for weeks on the leaves without poisoning, as also sheep, goats, and pigs. Horses and cattle are more sensitive but nevertheless resistant. The poison is no doubt quickly removed by the kidneys, since ordinary injection of Belladonna causes the usual symptoms. It is stated that the flesh of rabbits and birds which have eaten the plant and have been slaughtered apparently healthy is poisonous to man.

One berry can induce symptoms of human poisoning, and a child died after eating only three berries. Mortality in human cases of poisoning by Belladonna is given by Kanngiesser as 10 per cent.

Toxic Principle. Deadly Nightshade is the source of drugs widely used in medicine, and its properties as regards man have been extensively studied. The principal substance present is the alkaloid Hyoscyamine (C₁₇H₂₃O₃N), readily converted into Atropine (C₁₇H₂₃O₃N); Scopolamine or Hyoscine (C₁₇H₂₁O₄N), and in smaller quantity Apoatropine, and Belladonine are also present.

All parts of the plant contain the toxic alkaloids, but in unequal degree. The total quantity of the alkaloids is largest in the roots (0·4 to 1 per cent.), which in the fresh state contain no Atropine, but only Hyoscyamine; the leaves and fruits contain less of the alkaloids, and cultivated plants have been found to be poorer (0·26 per cent.) than wild (0·4 per cent). The root has been found to be five times as toxic as the berries. Drying does not destroy the poisonous properties.

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.