TUTU POISONING OF STOCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 10

TUTU POISONING OF STOCK.

Every year the losses of stock by tutu poisoning are considerable. The difficulty of field treatment can best be imagined, especially with cattle at all excited. Some investigation has' been carried out by the Department of Agriculure with a view to establishing a definite cure for tutu (Goriaria ruscifolia) in cattle. Mr A. R. Young, M.R.0.V.5., writing in 1917, says: " All the information at the present stage warrants us in dividing for all practical purposes tutu poisoning in three degrees of severity—(l) when the animal has consumed a large amount of tutu, in which case there is no cure; (2) when the amount of tutu eaten is not sufficient to cause rapid developments, in which case cures should be tried, and may be successful; (3) when tutu has been eaten in small quantities (as is common), and the animals recover of their own accord, and then soon acquire a certain amount of tolerance to the effect of the plant. As to treatment, the veterinarian suggests bleeding from the neck, or if the annual possesses horns these should be sawn off close to the head. This will allow of sufficient bleeding. Administer also (if this can be done) a dose of Epsom salts to clear out as much of the poison as possible, and when the animal, as is generally the case, gets ' blown ' introduce a probang .through the mouth right into the stomach; then withdraw the stiletto and allow the gas to escape. Before withdrawing the probang a funnel can be placed in it, and small quantities of - - medicine introduced right into the stomach, thereby avoiding the risk of choking. A quantity of limewater, a cupful or more of a solution of ammonium bromide and ootassium bromide, two drams of each dissolved in the water, or two drams of chloral hydrate in the same quantity of water, may do a great deal of good." When there is much excitement and it is dangerous to play round with a drench, hypodermic injections of, say, arecolin, followed by the trochar and canula, are recommended. Of course, one has not time to forage round for a chemist's shop, and immediate treatment may be necessary if anything is to be saved besides the hide or skin of the animal. A pocket knife may be used in lieu of trochar and canula, the finger or neck of a bottle being used to keep the wound open. The knife is introduced into the large stomach by plunging it into the left flank, taking as a guide about a hand-span from the last rib, the wings of the spine, and the haunch bone, and the gas encouraged to escape. The stomach and flank are sewn up afterwards, and the animal kept on a low diet for a few days. The Live Stock Division's opinion in this connection may be definitely stated. It is often a very difficult matter to apply medicinal treatment to animals suffering from tutu poisoning, seeing that the trouble causes more or less severe brain symptoms, which render the animal intractable and difficult to handle." Very useful treatment for this trouble, when it can be applied, is the internal administration of liquid ammonia or carbonate of ammonia, mixed with milk or thin gruel if possible; in addition a large dose of linseed oil, not less than two pints, should be given. The dose of liouid ammonia in cases such as this should be loz in a quart of milk or thin 'gruel. If neither of these be available it should be mixed with the two pints of linseed oil which is recommended above. Liquid ammonia is irritating to the membrane of the month and throat; hence the necessity for diluting it with a ouantity of some demulcent fluid. It should he borne in mind that there are two liquid ureparations of ammonia—one a very strong; preparation , known as liquor ammonia fort. ; the other the ordinary liauid ammonia, which is here recommended. If carbonate of ammonia be used in cases of tutu poisoning, the dose is l£oz. If the rumen (first stomach) is greatlv distended with gas, relief can be afforded by puncturing it at a spot midway between the haunch-bone and the last rib. This should be done on the left-side of the animal. Really, the best instrument for so puncturing is that known as a trochar, fitted into a canula. This is a round, sharp-pointed instrument with a metal tube (the canula) fitting tightly over it. After making the puncture the instrument is withdrawal, and the tube left in, thus allowing the continued escape of gas. It is unlikely, however, that the farmer will have this instrument at hand, and in an emergency a sharp-pointed knife with a long but thin blade can be used. In this case, however, it must not be simply plunged in and withdrawn, but must be held in position after making the puncture, the blade being twisted slightly sideways, thus maintaining an opening through which the gas can escape from the rumen. Owing to the usually excited condition of affected animals, however, it is often very difficult to do this. - It is usually travelling stock which become the victims of tutu poisoning; and feeding on tho plant un-

doubtedly causes much more trouble when taken on a more or less empty stomach. A dairyman who has considerable experience in treating his "tuted" cows recommends dosing the animal with raw linseed oil, a full bottle at a time, and if the animal is far gone, follows up with a similar dose in two hours' time, and in obstinate cases yet another dose after a lapse of two hours. Another dairyman has had success by drenching with carbonate of soda. A tablespoonful of soda is dissolved in a quart bottle of tepid water. One dose suffices, while bleeding under the tail is helpful in an early stage. In respect to sheep, it is as well to. be prepared if they are taken on to tutu country for cases of poisoning. The possession of a trochar and canula for puncturing the rumen through the left flank to allow the gas to escape will suggest itself. One suitable for sheep is to be preferred. Secure also a lancet for bleeding the sheep, at the eye vein. With respect to medicines the active principle of tutu—tutin—acts on the nervous system causing convulsions and paralysis. Dr Fitchett and Professor Malcolm, ofDunedin, recommend limewater, relieving the gastric tympany (distention), and keeping the animals as quiet as possible during tho. convulsions. From 4oz to 6oz of limewater may be given; also (says the Live Stock Division), a dose of sulphuric ether combined with aromatic spirit of ammonia, loz, in a pint of water to s a fullgrown sheep.