RARY, _ A & M CQLLEQE. CAMPUS. 6000-L180 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMEN‘; gmmkqumfi A. B. CONNER, DIR€ZX$ _ \QQ\\ commas]; STATION, BRAZOS ‘a TY *6?» BULLETIN NO. 481 ‘\5\\\\\“ n “age $\%§T3BER, 1933 DIVISION OF VETERINARY SCIENCE In cooperation with ‘ BUREAU OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, UNITED TATES ‘was DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTU? 1,‘? " Poisonipg 0fi§fi~ff1€~bY Species Qflgfoflridsel AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS T. O. WALTON! President STATION STAFFT Administration : A. B. Conner, M. S., Director R. E. Karper, M. S., Vice-Director Clarice Mixson, B. A., Secretary M. P. Holleman, Chief Clerk J. K. Francklow, Asst. Chief Clerk Chester Higgs, Executive Assistant Howard Berry, B. S., Technical Asst. Chemistry: G. S. Fraps, Ph. D., Chief; State Chemist S. E. Asbury, M. S., Chemist J. F. Fudge, Ph. D., Chemist E. C. Carlyle, M. S., Asst. Chemist T. L. Ogier, B. S., Asst. Chemist A. J. Sterges, M. S., Asst. Chemist Ray Treichler, M. S., Asst. Chemist W. H. Walker, Asst. Chemist Velma Graham, Asst. Chemist Jeanne F. DeMottier, Asst. Chemist R. L. Schwartz, B. S., Asst. Chemist C. M. Founders, B. S., Asst. Chemist Horticulture: S. H. Yarnell, Sc. D., Chief Range Animal Husbandry: J. M. Jones, A. M., Chief B. L. Warwick, Ph. D., Breeding Investiga. S. P. Davis, Wool Grader J. H. Jones, B. S., Animal Husb. Entomology: F. L. Thomas, Ph. D., Chief; State Entomologist H. J. Reinhard, B. S., Entomologist R. K. Fletcher, Ph. D., Entomologist W. L. Owen, Jr., M. S., Entomologist J. N. Roney, M. S., Entomologist J. C. Gaines, Jr., M. S., Entomologist S. E. Jones, M. S., Entomologist F. F. Bibby, B. S., Entomologist "E. W. Dunnam, Ph. D., Entomologist "R. W. Moreland, B. S., Asst. Entomologist C. E. Heard, B. S., Chief Inspector C. J. Burgin, B. S., Foulbrood Inspector Agronomy: E. B. Reynolds, Ph. D., Chief R. E. Karper, M. S., Agronomist P. C. Mangelsdorf, Sc. D., Agronomist D. T. Killough, M. S., Agronomist Publications : A. D. Jackson, Chief Veterinary Science: ‘M. Francis, D. V. M., Chief H. Schmidt, D. V. M., Veterinarian "F. P. Mathews, D.V.M., M.S., Veterinarian J. B. Mims, D. V. M., Asst. Veterinarian Plant Pathology and Physiology: J. J. Taubenhaus, Ph. D., Chief W. N. Ezekiel, Ph. D., Plant Pathologist Farm and Ranch Economics: L. P. Gabbard, M. S., Chief W. E. Paulson, Ph. D., Marketing C. A. Bonnen, M. S., Farm Management :t"*W. R. Nisbet, B. S., Ranch Management **A. C. Magee, M. S., Ranch Management Rural Home Research: Jessie Whitacre, Ph. D., Chief Mary Anna Grimes, M. S., Textiles Sylvia Cover, Ph.D., Foods Soil Survey: "W. T. Carter, B. S., Chief E. H. Templin, B. S., Soil Surveyor A. H. Bean, B. S., Soil Surveyor R. M. Marshall, B. S., Soil Surveyor Botany: V. L. Cory, M. S., Acting Chief Swine Husbandry: Fred Hale, M. S., Chief Dairy Husbandry: ‘ O. C. Copeland, M. S., Dairy Husbandman Poultry Husbandry: R. M. Sherwood, M. S., Chief J. R. Couch, B.S., Asst. Poultry Husbandman Agricultural Engineering: H. P. Smith, M. S., Chief Main Station Farm: G. T. McNess, Superintendent Apiculture (San Antonio): H. B. Parks, B. S., Chief A. H. Alex, B. S., Queen Breeder Feed Control Service: F. D. Fuller, M. S., Chief James Sullivan, Asst. Chief S. D. Pearce, Secretary J. H. Rogers, Feed Inspector K. L. Kirkland, B. S., Feed Inspector S. D. Reynolds, Jr., Feed Inspector P. A. Moore, Feed Inspector E. J. Wilson, B. S., Feed Inspector H. G. Wickes, D. V. M., Feed Inspector SUBSTATIONS No. 1, Beeville, Bee County: R. A. Hall, B. S., Superintendent No. 2, Lindale, Smith County: P. R. Johnson, M. S., Superintendent No. 9, Balmorhea, Reeves County: J. J. Bayles, B. S., Superintendent No. 10, College Station, Brazos County: R. M. Sherwood, M. S., In Charge “B. H. Hendrickson, B. S., Sci. in Soil Erosion L. J. McCall, Farm Superintendent "R. W. Baird, M. S., Assoc. Agr. Engineer No. 3, Angleton, Brazoria County: R. H. Stansel, M. S., Superintendent H. M. Reed, M. S., Horticulturist No. 4, Beaumont, Jefferson County: R. H. Wyche, B. S., Superintendent "H. M. Beachell, B. S., Junior Agronomist No. 5, Temple, Bell County: Henry Dunlavy, M. S., Superintendent C. H. Rogers, Ph. D., Plant Pathologist H. E. Rea, B. S., Agronomist S. E. Wolff, M. S., Botanist "H. V. Geib, M. S., Sci. in Soil Erosion "H. O. Hill, B. S., Junior Civil Engineer No. 6, Denton, Denton County: P. B. Dunkle, B. S., Superintendent "I. M. Atkins, B. S., Junior Agronomist No. 7, Spur, Dickens County: R. E. Dickson, B. S., Superintendent B. C. Langley, M. S.,"Agronomist No. 8, Lubbock, Lubbock County: D. L. Jones, Superintendent Frank Gaines, Irrig. and Forest Nurs. Members of Teaching Staff Carrying G. W. Adriance, Ph. D., Horticulture S. W. Bilsing, Ph. D., Entomology D. Scoates, A. E., Agricultural Engineering A. K. Mackey, M. S., Animal Husbandry R. G. Reeves, Ph. D., Biology *Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine. No. 11, Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County: H. F. Morris, M. S., Superintendent "No. 12, Chillicothe, Hardeman County: "J. R. Quinby, B. S., Superintendent "J. C. Stephens, M. A., Asst. Agronomist No. 14, Sonora, Sutton-Edwards Counties: W. H. Dameron, B. S., Superintendent I. B. Boughton, D. V. M., Veterinarian W. T. Hardy, D. V. M., Veterinarian O. L. Carpenter, Shepherd "O. G. Babcock, B. S., Asst. Entomologist No. 15, Weslaco, Hidalgo County: W. H. Friend, B. S., Superintendent S. W. Clark, B. S., Entomologist W. J. Bach, M. S., Plant Pathologist J. F. Wood, B. S., Horticulturist No. 16, Iowa Park, Wichita County: C. H. McDowell, B. S., Superintendent L. E. Brooks, B. S., Horticulturist No. 19, Winterhaven, Dimmit County: E. Mortensen, B. S., Superintendent "L. R. Hawthorn, M. S., Horticulturist Cooperative Projects on the Station: J. S. Mogford, M. S., Agronomy F. R. Brison, M. S., Horticulture W. R. Horlacher, Ph. D., Genetics J. H. Knox, M. S., Animal Husbandry A. L. Darnell, M. A., Dairy Husbandry tAs of October 1, 1933i **In cooperation with U. S. Department of. Agriculture. IIn cooperation with Texas Extension Service. A disease 0f unknown origin has given great trouble in the Big Bend area of Texas for a long time, and has frequently caused heavy losses in cattle. This Bulletin shows that the disease is caused by the cattle eating two species of groundsel, Senecio longilobus Benth., and Senecio riddell/ii Torr. and Gray. These i plants are common in the area and are distributed more or less over the entire region. They are eaten by cattle usually in the absence of more suitable grazing. Poisoning from these plants results in losses which occur spora- dically during any season but are heaviest during the summer time. The advanced stage of the disease is characterized by continuous walking, the sudden appearance of nervous disturbances, and fre- quent voiding of small amounts of liquid, bile-stained feces. The voiding of feces is usually accompanied by prolonged painful straining. In the advanced stage, the poisoned animals are likely to attack a person, horse, or other moving object that may be near. Death soon follows the appearance of the advanced stage of the disease. Post-mortem examination shows jaundice, im- pregnation of the peritoneal covering of the intestines with a clear colorless fluid, hardening of the liver, and distention of the gall bladder, frequently to an enormous size. No means of combating the disease has been developed. CONTENTS Page Introduction 5 Botanical Description of Senecio longilobus __________ ____________________________ "5 Botanical Description of Senecio riddellii _________________________________________________ __ 6 Review of Literature 7 Description of Field Cases of Poisoning“ 8 Symptoms ____ _- 8 Gross Pathology 9 Microscopic Pathology - 9 Experimental Procedure 11 Feeding Tests with Senecio longilobus 11 Feeding Tests with Senecio riddellii 14 Symptoms and Pathology of Experimental Cases .15 Discussion 17 Summary .... -_19 Acknowledgment .19 Literature Cited 19 ,_,,,.,_,.,(...._. 1.x . _ . BULLETIN NO. 481 OCTOBER, 1933 POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL” (Senecio longilobus Benth., and Senecio riddellii Torr. & Gray) FRANK P. MATHEWS‘; From the beginning of an established cattle industry in the Big Bend area of Texas certain ranchers have recognized a definite disease in their cattle which they have differentiated from other diseases that cause losses. This disease appears to have been given no common name, but is generally referred to as “that disease”. It is occasionally referred to as “water belly” by the uninformed, but not by the ranchers who have learned to recognize “water belly” as a pathological manifestation of an entirely different nature. The disease occurs sporadically at any time of the year, but the majority of cases usually appear in the summer months. It may become enzootic and at times has attained epizootic proportions. The worst outbreak of recent years occurred in the late summer of either 1927 or 1928; there is disagreement as to the exact year. Several thousand cattle were involved in this outbreak; the mortality varying from 5 to 30 per cent on the various ranches, with an average of approximately 10 to 12 per cent. Although other important losses are recalled this was evidently the worst outbreak Which had occurred for about twenty years. The disease appears to be confined to the red-rock country in northwestern Brewster county with an occasional report of its presence in northeastern Presidio county. Authentic reports of its occurrence in Jeff Davis county have not been obtained in spite of the fact that the flora and soil conditions of a con- siderable portion of this county are about the same as those in the northwestern portion of Brewster county. Upon full consideration of the present investigation, one must conclude that many ranchers have failed to recognize this as a specific disease, and that in all probability it occurs over a much greater area than has been reported. The resemblance of the clinical syndrome of this disease to the mani- festations of poisoning by certain species of Senecio is pronounced, and since two species of Senecio occur abundantly in the area involved, an investi- gation of the toxicity of these two species was undertaken. Botanical Description of Senecio longilobus“ The Wooly groundsel is a herbaceous perennial, sometimes becoming woody at the base and even among the branches. It has an erect, leafy and branched stem, is more or less permanently wooly throughout, but verying markedly in hairiness. It grows a foot or considerably more in height. The leaves are thickish, elongated and very narrow. They are *In cooperation with the Pathological Division, Bureau of Animal Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. TSubmitted for publication April 18, 1933. iVeterinarian, Loco Weed Laboratory, Alpine, Texas. "Description of the plants prepared by V. L. Cory, Range Botanist, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Substation No. 14, Sonora. 6 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION usually cut into elongated, very narrow lobes, but broader than thread- like, and have from three to seven lobes to the leaf. The heads are many-flowered and consist of yellow ray flowers and disk flowers, both of which are seed-producing. The heads are disposed in a flat-topped inflorescence, each stem branch ending in smaller branches, terminating in a single head, and with all the heads borne at a similar level. The involucre is broadly bell-shaped, about three-eights of an inch high and about as broad, usually of‘ twenty-one bracts, which are linear in shape and have ‘pointed tips and thin, whitish margins. A few very small accessory bracts occur at the base. The ray flowers are about thirteen in number, and are disposed in a single row, the corolla being three- eights of an inch long and one- sixteenth of an inch broad. The disk flowers are fifty or more in number, and have a tubular corolla five-sixteenths of an inch long. The one-seeded fruits are three thirty- seconds of an inch long, slender, cylindrical, ribbed, and beset with minute stiff hairs. The pappus is of numerous white capillary bris- tles, which are one-fourth of an inch long. . The woolly groundsel is in flower every month of the year and is a common plant in most places through its range. It occurs in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona and through- out New Mexico and western Texas on southward into Mexico. In Texas it has“ been collected by H. Schmidt of the Division of Veterinary Science as far east as Ballinger in Runnels county. Fig‘. 1. Senecio longilobus Botanical Description of Senec/io riddellii Riddell’s groundsell is a herbaceous perennial, usually a foot and a half or more in height, bright green, -entirely free from hair, branched, and'leafy._ The leaves are alternate, thread-like, and all but the upper- most, which may be entire, are cut into thread-like divisions which are few and distant from each other. The heads are many-flowered, and have both ray flowers and disk flowers, both of which are seed-producing. The heads are disposed in a flat-topped inflorescence, eachof the stem branches ending in six to ten smaller branches, each of which bears a solitary head of flowers at the same general level of the other heads. The involucre is narrowly bell-shaped, three-eights of an inch high, and POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 7 about three times as high as broad; the bracts, usually thirteen in number, are, in one series, are narrow, sharp-pointed, and have thin, Whittish margins. A few very small accessory bracts occur at the base of the involucre. The ray flowers are six to eight in number, are disposed in a single row, and have a corolla about one-half of an inch long and one-sixteenth of an inch broad. The disk flowers are thirty (more or less) in number, and have a tubular corolla nearly three- eights of an inch long. The one- seeded fruits are three thirty- seconds of an inch long, slender, cylindrical, ribbed, and beset with minute stiff hairs. The pappus is of numerous capillary bristles three-eights of an inch long, or four times as long as the fruit. Riddell’s groundsell grows from Nebraska and Colorado to New Meixco and western Texas. It is Fig‘. 2. Senecio riddellii found in some abundance in locali- ties on the plateaus and in the higher valleys of the Trans-Pecos area of Texas. REVIEW OF LITERATURE In 1883 McEachran (11) and Osler (12) suspected Senecio jacobaea as being the cause of the Pictou cattle disease of Canada. They drew erroneous conclusions from insufficient data, however, and attributed the cause of the disease to some infectious agent. In a comprehensive study Pethick (13, 14) proved that this plant was the cause of the disease. Some of the most outstanding symptoms, which consisted of restlessness, constant motion, irritability, violent mental disturbances, diarrhea, tenesmus, and prolapse of the rectum, did not occur for a considerable period after the plant was eaten. Significant pathology consisted of a swelling of the lower eyelids, icterus, hepatic cirrhosis, gall bladder distended with bile, ascites, edema of the visceral peritoneum and of the mucosa of the alimentary tract beginning with the abomasum. The results reported by Pethickwere also obtained by Rutherford (15). The “Winton Disease” of horses and cattle in New Zealand was shown by Gilruth (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) to be similar to Pictou disease and caused by l: the same plant. In microscopic studies he found that significant pathology consisted of fibroblastic proliferation in the liver, distortion of the shape 5 and distribution of the liver cells, bile-duct proliferations, and nephritis with cast formation. 8 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Cattle losses in the British Isles are attributed by Stockman (17), Thompson (20), Knowles (10), and by an unidentified author (22) to S. jacobaea. The evidence in these reports is sufficiently strong to justify such conclusions in spite of the absence of experimental proof. Chase (1) proved that the “Molteno” cattle disease of Cape Colony was due to the toxic effects of Slmrchellii. His results suggest that this is one of the most toxic species of Senecio. No significant difference could be found in his description of the disease caused by S. burchellii and that caused by S. jacobaeai. Robertson (16) reported upon the work of Chase and added the results of his microscopic studies, which agreed with those by Gilruth. In feeding tests with S. latifolius the outstanding pathology as observed by Theiler (18) was an acute degeneration of the liver cells. In- a study of the pathology of the liver cirrhosis in South African cattle he found practically the same lesions as are described by other investigators (19). Van Es, Cantwell, Martin, and Kramer (21) found S. riddellii to be the cause of “walking disease” of horses in Nebraska. The results of autopsies on field cases indicated that the plant was also poisonous for cattle. Clawson (2) found that S. longilobus was toxic for cattle and that the lesions produced by this plant were similar to those caused by feeding other species of Senecio. In a study of the symptoms and pathology of a disease which occurred in cattle grazed on Senecio-infested pastures, Jalving (8) observed more or less typical manifestations of this type of poisoning. However, the results of his feeding tests on S. aquaticus and S. jacobaea were not conclusive. DESCRIPTION OF FIELD CASES OF POISONING Symptoms The disease is characterized by continuous walking and by the sudden onset of other symptoms. Animals which appeared in perfect health one day are found showing well developed symptoms on the following day. There is a roughened coat, a dry scaly nose, and a fixed, staring facies. There is a slight stagger to the walk, the head slightly dropped, and it is quite evident from the attitude of the animal that it has no definite itinerary. After walking for a variable distance an affected animal will stop and void a small amount of liquid, bile-stained feces. Defecation is frequently attempted every two or three minutes, and is associated With convulsive tenesmus. Animals in this stage of the disease are quite dangerous, as they may attack a person, a horse, or even an automobile at any time without previous notice and with unusual fury. Barbed-wire fences, unless of unusual construction, generally fail to deflect the animal from its course. The temperature and the pulse are normal. Respiration is generally increased during the heat of the day, but returns to normal as the cooler portion of the day approaches. . i . L>EeAQ4LL POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 9 Death usually occurs at some place from which the animal is too exhausted t0 escape, such as a tangle of fence, brush, or the head of an arroyo. It is not uncommon to find that the final outcome was hastened by walking over a percipice. It is frequently reported that calves made no effort to suckle after symptoms appear in their dams. Gross Pathology Upon autopsy, icterus is a constant finding. Small hemorrhages are generally observed in the fascia of the axillary space and in the fat around the hip joint, but rarely beneath the skin. There are quite extensive hemorrhages beneath the epicardium, in the diaphragm, and in the mesentery and omentum. The gall bladder is distended with several times its normal content of bile; the wall is much thickened and gelatinous in appearance. The bile is normal in color and con- sistency and there is no obstruction in the bile duct. The liver pre- sents a finely-mottled appearance due to the presence of numerous gray or yellowish-brown areas. In Fig. 3. Steer s5; picture taken about two addition to the mottled appearance, “u” bef°re death‘ some cases present ‘numerous circumscribed areas which vary in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Such areas are quite suggestive of neoplasia. The entire liver is firm in consistency and noticeably congested. Icteric discoloration of the liver, if present, is not uniform in its distribution, but is much more prominent in some areas than in others. The hepatic lymph gland is enlarged. The entire visceral peritoneum has a gelatinous appearance and may be as much as one inch thick. The edematous infiltration is especially noticeable between the folds of the large intestine. The mesenteric lymph glands and the muscular wall of the intestines are not involved in the edematous change. There is a mild congestion of the mucosa of the abomasum, also of the small and large intestines. The intestinal content is liquid, with bile being one of the main constituents. In some cases the mucosa of the abomasum is edematous, but this is a variable thing. There is a small amount of ascitic fluid but never in sufficient quantity to distend the abdomen. There is moderate, although well defined, degeneration of the kidneys. Microscopic Pathology Significant histopathology is confined to the liver, gall bladder, and kidney. Upon microscopic examination the first change to attract the attention is the size of the liver cells. Much of the cord-like arrangement 10 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT’ STATION is 10st and practically all the cells are as much as two to three times their normal size. The fact that there is no material enlargement of the liver would indicate that considerable destruction of liver cells had occurred, either by necrosis, pressure atrophy, or both. The cytoplasm is granular and may be vacuolated, although the vacuolation is not a conspicuous change. The nuclei are vesiculated and generally enlarged to proportions comparable to that of the cytoplasm. In some areas the hepatic cells contain large deposits of bile pigment, in others little or none, thus conforming to the icteric distribution which is observed upon autopsy. There is marked congestion, hemorrhage, and a variable amount of necrotic changes. The mottled and neo- plastic-like areas are found to be the result of fibroblastic prolifera- tion. This change originates around the portal canal and progresses towards the center of the lobule. Within the fibrosed areas prolif- eration of bile-duct epithelium is quite pronounced and within certain limits appears to parallel the pro- liferation of the fibrous tissue. There is no evidence that the pro- liferation of bile-duct epithelium is an effort on the part of the liver to regenerate parenchymatous cells. The enlargement of the hepatic lymph gland is found to be due to a proliferation of the reticulo- endothelium and not to fibroblastic proliferation. The wall of the gall bladder shows a lack of continuity of the various tissues due to edematous infiltration and some mucoid de- Fig. 4. The gall bladder and liver of a range - - - case, showing a circumscribed nodule of fibrous generatlon’ Wlthln the mucosa tissue on both surfaces of the sectioned liver. there is a pronounced hyperplasia of the lymphoid structures. In regions where the lymphatic tissue should consist of a few scattered cells, large foci of lymphoid cells are found. In such areas there is also a limited representation of the wandering leucocytes. The epithelium of the kidney tubules shows a pronounced. albuminous degeneration and occosional areas of focal necrosis. Hyalin casts are of frequent occurrence in the collecting tubules and in many cases the tubules above the casts are distended with accumulated urine. ‘to corrals during the experiments, POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 11 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Since the symptoms and microscopic pathology were suggestive of Senecio poisoning an investigation of the toxicity of the two species which occur in the Big Bend area of Texas, S. longilobus and S. riddell/ii, was undertaken. In view of the fact that the field cases which occur in the summer are in good physical condition, the cattle in.the first experiment were kept in similar condition during the feeding period. In order to obtain the desired results the green plant was chopped in a feed cutter, mixed with grain (corn and wheat bran) and fed the first thing in the morning. As soon as this ration was consumed they were given about all the alfalfa hay they would eat between that time and the following morning. As pathology was the main object of the first experiment the animals which received the same species of plant were fed together and not in- dividually as was practiced in all subsequent experiments. As the work progressed it became evident that the animals would not eat as large a quantity of the plants as was desired and force feeding was adopted. Unless otherwise stated the leaves and succulent portion of the stems of the green plants were fed. For force feeding the plants were ground in a meat chopper, packed into the chamber of a ball- ing gun and administered as a bolus. All animals were confined In _ and in some cases for several months prior to the experiment. Table 1 summarizes the results of the experiments. It will be noticed in this table that the feeding has - - - - Fig. 5. The gall bladder and liver of experi- been dlvlded Into two perlods‘ The mental cow _46. The gall bladder contained amounts fed during the first period 780° °°' °f bfle‘ are amounts the animals were induced to eat; the amounts listed in the second period were force-fed. Feeding Tests with Senecio longilbous In the first experiment with S. longilobus two animals (Cow No. 23 and Steer No. 40) were induced to eat 515 pounds of the green plant in 203 days. The cow was isolated upon two occasions during this period and was induced to eat 12 pounds in 24 hours on the first occasion and 6 12 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION pounds in the same length of time on the second occasion. The steer was observed for 35 days and the cow for 71 days after the plant feeding was discontinued. During the period of the experiment one animal gained 130 pounds and the other 180 pounds. They appeared in perfect health at all times and were slaughtered for food at the end of the experiment. Table 1. The results of feeding S. longilobus and S. riddellii S. longilobus Animal First period Second period w m _ .1: ‘ ’ '" R i lt 2 g g3 Dates E‘? 2E Dates ebu s g Z i 1931 23 650 I | 5-11 to 11-30] ______ __ [ Killed 2-9-32. Microscopic evidence of toxicity. 40 540 Killed 1-4-32. Negative. 1932 20 710 498 4-29 to 7-6 ...... .. Typical case. Died 7-8 84 375 95 7-12 t0 9-17 94 11 8-3 to 10-7 Typical case. Died 10-12 31 515 109 7-31 to 9-17 10* 4 10-24 to 10-28 Animal became violent. Died 11-20. 46 665 52 7-12 to 9-13 1l4** 11 8-2 to 9-17 Typical case, gall bladder contained 7800 cc. of bile. Died 10-9. 85 500 ...... ._ 20 4 11-25 to 12-2 Animal became violent. i l Died 12-31. I | S. riddellii 1931 t 5 500 6-27 to 11-30 ______ ._ Killed 2-7-32. Negative. 414 6 590 Killed 1-6-32, Negative. I 1932 67 335 ______ _. 2.32* 1 7-423 Died 7-24. 82 225 47 7 8-13 to 9-16 Died 9-20. 30 750 265 4-23 to 9-17 40*** 4 10-24 to 10-28 Typical case. Killed for autopsy 12-20. The amounts of the plants fed in the first period were eaten voluntarily. The amounts in the second period were force-fed. Plants were fed green except where indicated. *Dry plant. **S. longilobus and S. riddellii fed in approximately equal proportions. ***Blooms. Upon autopsy no lesions were observed. There was no microscopic evi- dence of toxicity in the steer, but in the cow there was slight hepatic cirrhosis and hyperplasis of the lymphoid tissue in the mucosa of the gall bladder. Cow No. 20 was the only animal which voluntarily ate large amounts of the plant in a relative short period. The addition of blackstrap POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 13 molasses to the plant was of value in this case, but this method failed to entice the remainder of the animals to eat large quantities of the plant. This animal was started on a daily ration of 3 pounds of green S. longilobus and 8 ounces of the molasses. The amount of the plant was gradually increased until she was induced to eat 10 pounds a day for a few days. During a feeding period of 68 days she ate 498 pounds of the plant. Diarrhea and tenesmus as well as other symptoms of illness developed on the 68th day. These symptoms continued without interruption until death occurred 2 days later. By withholding other food, bull No. 84 was forced to eat 95 pounds of the green plant between July 12 and September 17. Between August 3 to October 7 he was force-fed 94 pounds of the green plant, an average of a little less than nine pounds to the feed. Three of these feeds con- sisted of the leaves of young plants. From September 17 until October 7 he was fed liberal amounts of alfalfa hay and cottonseed cake. He appeared in perfect health until after the last force-feeding on October 7. He stopped eating after this date and was visibly sick until October 11. Late in the afternoon of that day he began walking round the corral and evidently walked most of the night. Death occurred October 12. Between July 31 and September 17 cow No. 31 was forced to eat 109 pounds of the green plant by the addition of molasses and the with- holding of other food. She was then placed on a ration of cottonseed cake and alfalfa hay for the duration of the experiment. On October 24, 25, 27, and 28, she was force-fed 2.5 pounds daily of the dry plant, which was equivalent to a total of 40 pounds of the green plant. She continued to eat well and was apparently in good health until the morning of November 18, when she ‘was found to be .a little listless and eating poorly. At 6 p.m. she was found charging back and forth across the corral colliding with other animals and with the fence. These symptoms continued until 9 p.m., when muscular trembling and weakness developed. She “went down” shortly thereafter and died during the night. Cow No. 46 ate 52 pounds of green S. longilobus between July 12 and September 13. Between August 9 and September 17 she was fed 54 pounds of the same plant in 5 feeds. Between August 2 and September 15 she was also force-fed 60 pounds of green S. riddellii in 6 feeds. From August 25 until the time of death she showed a capricious appetite and an intermittent diarrhea which was associated with tenesmus. Death occurred on October 9 following two days in which there were alternant periods of restlessness and depression. Steer No. 85 was force-fed a total of 20 pounds- of the green plant in four feeds, on November 25, 28, 30, and December 2. He was maintained on liberal rations of hay and cottonseed cake and appeared in good health with the exception of loss of Weight until December 29, when he began to show excitement upon the appearance of strangers around the 14 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION corral. He was charging back and forth across the corral on the morning of the 31st and would evidently have gored a person if the opportunity had been presented. He “went down” at 1 p.m. and died about 30 minutes later. In addition to the usual pathological changes this animal showed a peculiar discoloration of the eyes. The iris and aqueous humor assumed a blue-black clor to such an extent that the pupil could be seen only with difficulty. he same discoloration also involved about a half inch of the anterior order of the sclerotic coat. This change is quite similar to the “peaco blue” which was observed by Knowles. Tenesmus and prolapse of rect occurred about one hour before death. Feeding Tests with Senec-io r/iddellii Two cows, Nos. 5 and 6, were fed S. riddellii in conjunction with grain from June 27 until November 30, 1931. During this period they ate 414 pounds of the plant. One of the cows was observed for 37 days, the other for 70 days after the plant feeding was discontinued. During the period of the experiment one animal gained 120 pounds and the other gained 110 pounds. At no time did either animal show evidence of a toxic effect; when they were slaughtered for autopsy no lesions were observed. Microscopic studies of the tissues likewise failed to reveal pathologic changes. ‘ On July 23, 1932, Steer No. 67 was force-fed 2.32 pounds of the dry plant. The feeding occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. He was eating at 5 p.m., but was found dead the next morning. The dry plant in this case was equivalent to 10.6 pounds of the green. On a basis of the green plant the animal was fed three per cent of his body weight. Steer No. 82 was force-fed 47 pounds of the green plant in 7 feeds between August 13 and September 16. Four of the 7 feeds represented a little over three per cent of the body weight of the animal. The rest of the feeds represented a slightly lower percentage. The animal began to show evidence of illness of no particular nature about September 16 when the last feed was given. He died on September 20 without having shown any significant symptoms with the exception of a dry scaly nose. Cow No. 30 ate 265 pounds of the green plant between April 23 and September 17. On the latter date she was placed on a ration of cotton- seed cake and hay. No evidence of toxic effects developed and on October 24, 25, 27, and 28 she was force-fed 10 pounds daily of» the bloomsof S. riddellii or a total of 40 pounds. The first evidence of illness con- sisted of a rapid respiration during the heat of the day on December 5. A poor appetite developed about this time and became more pronounced as the disease progressed. She stopped eating on December 15 and began walking round the corral on the following day. The walking con- tinued with but short periods of rest until December 20. Diarrhea and tenesmus were very much in evidence on the first day but subsided thereafter. She was down Ion the morning of the 20th and was killed for autopsy. POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 15 SYMPTOMS AND PATHOLOGY OF EXPERIMENTAL CASES It would serve no useful purpose to give a detailed account of the symptoms and pathology observed in the experimental animals. It is Fig- 6- P 11°t°YQi¢r°g¥3Ph _°-f the live? 0f 9- Fig‘. 7. Photomicrograph of a practically Tang? @1159» slwwlng d1st°rt1°n 0f the $119 and normal liver. Same magnification as Figure 6. distribution of the liver cells. Same magni- fication as that of a practically normal liver shown in Figure 7. true that the typical walking attitude was not observed in all cases. However, this is of little consequence since a- typical Walking case on the range frequently shows nothing more than restlessness when confined to a corral. Furthermore the degree of cerebral disturbances in the final Fig. 8. Photomicrograph of the liver, show- Fig. 9. Photomicrograph of the liver, show- ing connective tissue proliferation, ing connective tissue proliferation around the hepatic trinity, and bile-duct proliferation. stages of the disease is subject to some variation in the field cases. The dry scaly nose was observed in but one case. With these exceptions the symptoms observed in the experimental animals were an exact replica of those shown by the range cases. The gross and microscopic pathology is likewise a duplication of that which is previously recorded. The contents of the gall bladder varied 16 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT‘ STATION between a minimum of 1,000 cc. and a maximum of 7,800 cc. of bile. The maximum being the largest amount which has ever been observed. Edema- tous thickening of the mucosa of the abomasum was much more pronounced in the experimental animals than in range cases. This change attained its maximum degree in cases which probably represent a more acute type of the disease and was less marked in cases of longer standing. The Fig‘ 102 Photolpicrograph’ sholfving delacfsits Fig. 11. Photomicrograph of the mucosa of 9f blle Plgrilent .1“ thfe llllver Ce s has We as the gall bladder, showing hyperplasia of the the usual dlstortlon 0 t e _parenc yma‘ lymphoid tissue and a few wandering leuco- cytes. hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue in the gall bladder became more pro- n.ounced as the duration of the disease was lengthened. Therefore, within certain limits the former lesion probably indicate acuteness, the latter Table 2. Average cell count of the blood before feeding the two species of senecio and after symptoms developed. Averages of determinations of six animals. Total cell count Before feeding l’ After feeding Erythrocytes (millions) 9.3 5.3 Leucocytes (thousands) _____ >> 10,800 12,600 Leucocytes (per cent) Polymorphonuclear 17 ‘ 39 Lymphocytes 72 55 Mononuclear _______________________________________ __ 4 4 Eosinophiles _- 7 2 chronicity. Necrosis of the liver cells is also an index of the duration of the disease as it is most pronounced in the more acute cases. Studies of the cellular content of the blood of six animals were made prior to feeding the plant as well as before and after symptoms developed. Averages of the figures obtained from the first and last studies are listed in Table 2. ' As will be noticed upon referring to this table the changes in the blood consisted of a decrease in the number of erythrocytes, a slight in- crease in the number of leucocytes, an increase in the percentage of POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 17 polymorphonuclear leucocytes and a decrease in the percentage of lympho- cytes. A high percentage of eosinophiles was observed before the feeding began. This change is of little significance as the percentage of esino- philes has been observed to vary within wide limits in the same individual at different times. The increase in polymorphonuclear leucocytes is evi- dently an indication of nephritis, as this change has been observed in nephritis due to other causes. DISCUSSION There remains no question that the disease under investigation was reproduced by feeding the two species of Senecio. The data at hand are not compiled from a sufficient number of experimental animals to warrant definite conclusions concerning the comparative toxicity of the two plants. The fact that 2.32 pounds of the dry S. ridedllii (equivalent to 10.6 pounds green) was sufficient to produce death in the case of Steer No. 67 in about eighteen hours, and that necrosis of the liver cells is more in evidence in S. ridcdllii poisoning than it is in poisoning by S. Zongilobus would suggest greater toxicity for the former plant. However, this becomes rather doubtful when the results with Steer No. 82 and Cow No. 30, which were fed S. ridedllii, are compared with the results on several of the animals which were fed S. Zongilbous. If a variation in the toxic content of the two plants does exist it is perhaps qualitative rather than quantitative. It is evident that cattle can tolerate relatively large amounts of both plants without serious effects, if consumed in small daily doses over a long period of time (Cattle Nos. 23x40, 5, 6, Table 1). On the other hand relatively small amounts are able to produce fatal results if given in large doses (Steer No. 85, Table 1). The results of feeding tests tend to show that there is a wide variation in the amounts of both plants which are required to produce fatal results. This variation is in all probability much less than it appears, as some of the animals must have received more of the plants than was actually required to produce fatal results. In force feeding it is not surprising that such condition should occur, since it is obvious from the nature of the pathology that some time must elapse before the lesions can progress to the point of producing death. Therefore, further administration of the plants, after minimum lethal doses had been given renders a complete interpretation of the results somewhat difficult. From a practical standpoint it is well to consider both species of plants about equally toxic. However, range observations tend to show that S. longilbous is eaten more extensively than S. ridedllii; therefore the former plant is likely to cause greater losses. Senecio longilbous, being an evergreen in this locality, is frequently the most abundant succulent food during unfavorable range conditions, which is evidently an im- portant factor whenever this plant is grazed. Senecio ridedllii is dead 18 BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION during the time of year when unfavorable range conditions are most apt to occur. Nevertheless cattle were found eating the dead stalks and branches of this plant upon one occasion during the winter months. Mortalities were occurring at the time but they could not be attributed to the eating of S. riddellii, as the lesions, although typical of Senecio poisoning, may have been produced by eating S. longilbous at some earlier date. Two theories are available for the high incidence of the disease at the time of the year when it is most liable to occur on the ranges. The first is based upon the fact that the bovine is less selective in its grazing habits than other animals and that in the early summer months the cattle crop considerable amounts of the young Senecio plants which grow up with the grass. If this theory were correct, one would expect to find lesions which would indicate a more acute course of the disease than are generally observed, since the elapsed time between the ingestion of the plants and the appearance of symptoms would be relatively short. The most unfavorable range conditions in this section are most apt to occur about the time S. longilobus begins to send out new branches (March to June). The new growth of S. riddellii generally begins to appear about the latter part of this period, but does not become conspicuous until after range conditions improve. Assuming March to June to be the ‘period when S. Zongilobus is most apt to be eaten, several weeks and in some cases months, must elapse between the ingestion of the plant and the the appearance of the disease. During this time range conditions generally improve, the animals stop eating the Senecio, and in most cases gain in weight. That such a period actually occurs between the ingestion of the plant and the appearance of the disease is supported by the results with some of the experimental animals, and would probably have been supported by all but one case, had force-feeding been discontinued at an earlier date. This period was four weeks in the case of Steer No. 85, 24 days in the case of Cow No. 31, and a little over 7 weeks for Cow No. 30. That considerable time is required for the development of the disease has been observed by other investigators. The involvement of the gall bladder is an interesting part of the pathology and a more complex phenomenon than one would suspect upon first consideration. The enormous content of bile would suggest an ob- struction of the bile duct, or a paralysis of the musculature. There is no obstruction and the fact that the intestine contains large quantities of bile indicates that the flow of bile into the intestine is not interrupted. Therefore, an interpretation of this condition is probably found in an over-production of bile, an interpretation which agrees with that of John- son (9). With but few exceptions poisoning in cattle by species of Senecio presents the same symptoms and pathology, regardless of location or species of the plant. Ascites appears to be a conspicuous symptom in other localities but is of minor importance in the present investigation. POISONING OF CATTLE BY SPECIES OF GROUNDSEL 19 Prolapse of the rectum is frequently observed in poisoning by species of Senecio in cattle occurring in other localities, but is of rare occurrence in this region. Judging from the tenesmus one would expect this condi- tion to be of frequent occurrence. _ Reports of a similar disease in the horses of this region have not been obtained. Some ranchers maintain that neither species of the plant is eaten by horses and in observations on pastures Which are maintained very near exclusively for horses, the writer has not observed evidence to the contrary. The evidence therefore indicates that a similar disease does not exist in the horses of this region. SUMMARY A disease of cattle in the Big Bend area of Texas is described. The losses from this disease occur sporadically during any season of the year but are heaviest during the summer time. The disease was reproduced by feeding S. Zongilobus and S. riddellii and is, therefore, a poisoning of the animal with one or the other or both of these plants. The lethal dose may be as little as 20 pounds. Following feeding of a lethal dose of the plant symptoms may not; occur till some weeks or even more than a month later. The disease is characterized by continuous walking, the sudden appear- ance of nervous disturbances, diarrhea accompanied by tenesmus, and other symptoms of illness. Icterus, edema of visceral peritoneum, hepatic cirrhosis, and distention of the gall bladder are outstanding lesions on post mortem. The disease is practically identical with that caused by feeding other species of Senecio in other countries. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Writer is indebted to Mr. J. P. Wilson for his cooperation in the study of the disease as it appears on the range. Thanks are due Mr. C. F. Kimball for the donation of one steer for experimental feeding at a time when there was a shortage of cattle for continuing the work; and to Mr. A. B. Clawson for his assistance in reviewing the literature. LITERATURE CITED 1. Chase, W. H. 1904. The Molteno Cattle Disease, Ag. J. of the Cape of Good Hope. 25: 675. 2. Clawson, A. B. 1932. The Official Record. 243. 3. Gilruth, J. A. 1902. Notes on. Cirrhosis of the Liver in Horses and Cattle and its Production of the Latter Experimentally. Veterinarian. 75: 436. 4. Gilruth, J. A. 1902. Hepatic Cirrhosis in Horses and Cattle “Winton Disease”. Tenth Report, Department of Agriculture, New Zealand. 300. 20 - 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. _22. BULLETIN NO. 481, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Gilruth, J. A. 1903. Hepatic Cirrhosis Affecting Horses and Cattle (So-called “Winton Disease”). Eleventh Report, Department of Agri- culture, New Zealand. 228. Gilruth, J. A. 1904. Hepatic Cirrhosis due to Ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea). Twelfth Report, ‘Department of Agriculture, New Zealand. 206. Gilruth, J. A. 1905. Hepatic Cirrhosis or “Winton Disease”. Thirteenth Report, Department of Agriculture, New Zealand. 178. Jalving, H. 1930. Cirrhosis Hepatis Enzootica Bij Het Rund. Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde. 57: 328. Johnson, W. 1894. Biliary Cirrhosis of the Liver in Cattle. Proc. 30th Annual Convention United States Veterinary Medical Association. 120. Knowles, T. 1926. British Ragwort Poisoning. The Veterinary Record. 6: 618. McEachran, Wm. 1906. Remarks on the Pictou Cattle Disease. Depart- ment of Agriculture, Canada. 8. Osler, Wm. 1883. Report on Pictou Cattle Disease Investigations. Veterinarian. 56: 478. Pethick, W. H. 1906. Special Report on Pictou Cattle Disease. Depart- ment of Agriculture, Canada. 8. Pethick, W. H. 1921. Pictou Cattle Disease with Special Reference to the Symptomatology. Canadian Veterinary Record. 2: 13. Rutherford, J. G. 1906. Special Report on Pictou Cattle Disease. De- partment of Agriculture, Canada. 3. Robertson, W. 1906. Cirrhosis of the Liver in Stock in Cape Colony, produced by Feeding Senecio. Jr. Comp. Path. and Therap. 19: 97. Stockman, S. 1917. Poisoning of Cattle with the British Ragwort. Jr. Comp. Path. and Therap. 30: 131. Theiler, A. 1919. Senecio Poisoning in Cattle. Fifth and Sixth Report, Dir. Vet. Res., Union of South Africa, Dept. Agri. 151. Theiler, A. 1920. Liver Cirrhosis in South African Cattle. Seventh and Eighth Report, Dir. Vet. Res., Union of South Africa, Dept. Agri. 172. Thompson, H. 1918. Chronic Poisoning of Cattle with Ragwort. The _Veterinary Record. 31: 105. Van Es, L., L. F. Cantwell, H. M. Martin, and J. Kramer. 1929. On the Nature and Cause of the “Walking Disease” of Northwestern Nebraska. Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 43. 1917. Poisoning in Cattle by Ragwort, The Veterinary Record. 30: 91.