150
buted throughout the grass being most abundant in the stem at the nodes or
junction of the leaves. The grass contains no other salt in appreciable quantity
(Sd.) THOMAS STEPHENSON, F.C.S.,
23rd April 1896.
Analytical Chemist.
Judging from these observations I have no doubt in my mind that the
jowar plant at times, in certain circumstances, such as have been mentioned
above, becomes distinctly poisonous owing to the amount of Nitrate of
Potash which is contained in the stem.
In order to test poisonous properties of Nitrate of Potash a heifer was
given 10 ounces of the drug in a drench. In ten minutes she commenced
to urinate and she was dead in 20 minutes with symptoms of gastro enteritis,
tympanites, nausea and colic, staggering gait stupefaction polyuria and
death. Some times death from Nitrate of Potash poisoning is apoplecti-
form and we may at times observe spasms and rotation of the eyeballs. It is
generally very rapid, the animal may succumb in a few minutes. Usually
the disease lasts from half-an-hour but seldom over 12 hours.
The post-mortem appearances are hæmorrhagic gastro enteritis, cherry
red or purple coloration of the gastric mucous membrane and the small intestine
and superficial ulceration of this membrane, the intestinal contents are reddish
brown. The kidneys are ecchymosed and inflamed. The blood is vermillion in
color. The intensity in the effects of this drug is in inverse ratio to the fulness
of the stomach.
There can be no reasonable doubt that in the cases of poisoning from this
disease the cause is the presence of large quantities of Nitrate of Potash in the
stems. Some of the samples examined contained 25 per cent. of the salt so that
a very small feed of them would introduce sufficient to carry off the animal
which ate them. It is therefore necessary to avoid jowar in this condition for
if animals are starving and it is available, there seems every possibility that if
it were cut up and well washed the nitre would be to a great extent removed
and the plant harmless.
Distomatosis. Fluke disease in cattle and buffaloes.
553. This disease has been found to be very common in lowlying tracts sub-
ject to water logging and inundation and proves very fatal to cattle especially
buffaloes. It occurs in most of the villages lying low along the river Jamna
and in most villages which are waterlogged and swampy. Thus it is found to
be very common in the Kurnal district, in the "bet"of Ludhiana in the village
along the sides of the Budha Nala. In the latter situation it is so common
that the people have learnt from experience that it is advisable to avoid graz-
ing their cattle there at certain times of the year owing to the great numbers
which become attacked by and die from fluke disease.
I was informed in Ludhiana that if cattle are grazed along the Budha
Nala in "Chait" or March they are pretty certain to be attacked by this parasite
and to die after varying periods of time. The disease is also common in the
villages along the khadir of the Jamna in the Delhi and Gurgaon districts.
Name.—The disease is known to the people under the names "Bedi-gae"
or "Jhukai-gae".
Cause.—It is caused by Distomata or Flukes which are "Platyhelminths"
belonging to the "Trematode"group. The worms found in the cattle and buffa-
loes appears to be a new variety larger than the ordinary Fasciola hepatica com-
monly found in sheep. It is far longer and is possibly Distoma magna. These
I have provisionally named Fisciola giggantea but as it appears possible that
they may be identical with the American variety named Fasciola magna I have
forwarded to my friends, Hasall and Stiles, specimens for the favor of their
opinion which will be communicated when received.