The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-13
A Much Slandercd Weed.

For some years past tho chemists en-
ployed by the Kansas State Board Of Agr-
culture have been investigating the prop
critics Of the popularity terrible loco weed"
the leaves Of which are believed to mako
insane all animals that eat OF them. The
Investigations have not succeeded us vet
in clearing up the mystery OF the dreaded
| plant: on the contrary. they seem even to
have dccpcDcu it.
So far from there being only ono loco
weed. there seem to be no fewer than seven
plants cndowcdb by popular consent with the
power of making animals mad. These. in
the order of their distribution aro OTytropis
LAMBERT. AstragGtus moilissin,us. Aniras-
tram coccineum. Sophord scriccd. Amoraatus
| alJus. Rhumnus idnccola'u. and. perhaps,
| Astrayalus triddctyiicus. These plants be-
gin to appear. says Mr.. SAYRE. tho chief
chemist of the Kansas Board Of Agriculture.
about tho southern border OF tho
State Mt about tho nincty-ninth mcrid-
ian and extend into tho Indian Ter
ritory in almost direct line south. and
into Kansas in rather n northwcsterly di-
rection. From this eastern boundary line
the loco weed is found more or less plenti-
fully until the mountains Of Colorado arc
reached. where. south OF the Arkansas
| River. nearly to the southern borders of
New Mexico. its growth assumes consider
able importance. The western boundary
line Is indicated by tho ono hundrcdth
meridian Thus. according to Mr.. SAYEI.
| its chief habitat is Il strip Of territory
| about 70 miles broad and $50 miles long
Tho alleged peculiar effects of the loco
plant upon animals" says Mr. SAYRE. ARE
| too we'll known torcQuirc special reference.
| 10 the plant is a5cribcd an Intoxicating
property tending to peculiar form of in
| sanity" The name is duo to the Mcyiclns.
| who gave to the garaban-R!o. or chickwced,
| the name OF hcrba loco. or insane herb.
As long ago as 1885 Mr. SATgE began his
Investigation Of tho dreaded plant. and
| repeatedly thereafter he has made studies
| of it. An exhaustive chemical analysis
showed nothing that should act with
such terrible effect on animals. Crys-
tails. obtained by long and complicated
| treatment OF the powdered leaves OF
| tho Aslrdgdlns mOilissiaus. when evap-
| Grated In ch!oroform over gentle heat.
| evolved dsagrceable Odor: but nothing
worse than that was found. Mr.. SAYRE
Experimental upon himself. taking as
| much as an ounce OF the crude alkaoid OF
| the drug every three hours: it "produccd
not even the slightest effect upon the nerves,
| upon the pupil of the eve. and not much
| other than stimulating effect upon tho
stomach and circulation" An assistant OF
Mr.. SAYRE. however. concluded after care
full experiment. that the active principle OF
the plant was powerful mydrlatic. like
atropine. Mr.. SAYHE's experiments. how.
ever. do not bear out this conclusion.
After searching for nearly three years.
Mr.. SAYEE in 1887 found . COW afflicted wish
the loco habit" "She was four years
DID, lie says. Though no larger than at
two years. Tho loco had not only stopped
her growth. but made her quite poor. and
gave hor wasted appearance. Sho seemed
stupid doDllItated, unsteady In her move
mcnts. tho breathing short aud rapid. with
muscular force very much impaired.
Whether walking or standing. 1t wns SEEM
ingly beyond her power u so control the
muscles as to keep her head perfectly still.
Her eyes had exhibited q wild stare. SO said.
but this had recently Disappeared"
A post-mortem examination Of this af-
lcted animal showed a generally congested
state OF the organs, but 1t did not show that
tiua ot the loco plant.
Nor" recently Dr.. RAY. n Kentucky phy-
s,cian IA Colorado. investigated three ases
o. horses alleged IN be .oeocd. reporting on
them to Mr, SAYRE. 10 described their
condition as follows:
mo. l. NoTman staaon eighteen monlhs old. sec
ond week OF condition
NO r,n'k mare sixteen months o'd nth and
siNth weeks OF condition,
'N"a Nro~a mare, im years old. third month Of
chu!''!uu.
'WbHe N a Ht rea the house iHey m we! s.osvy
ar, ma. asn Their lcrt tend ur !rU IA a a.
o"Rng position on a. ground tr! us II 'cRl ;,l.w
o' motion ana s"mtpIra y>"d. "a nuu mar. or
less sinE-n seemingly rsrruugs apusi!tr Uut unab.
to masrcaie or swallow food hng their java with
feod owen And turning from trough tramp around: