HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION
Water Hemlock Poisons Livestock
Cases of Poisoning Reported in Both Oregon and Washington
Scientists Work in Colorado
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rv LTHOUGH the roots of th plant
M known as the "water hemlock"
a " contain a deadly poison, its tops
and seeds fn hay will not harm cattle,
according to scientists of the U. S. de
partment of agriculture. These scien
tists, whose specialty it is to Investi
gate plants from which drugs and
poisons are taken, have been compil
ing data on this plant, which Is one
of the most deadly known in America.
Besides its scientific name "Cicuta"
and its more popular name "water
hemlock," the plant is known in var
ious localities as "cowbane," "wild
parsley," "snakeroot," "spotted hem
lock," "snakeweed," and "beaver pois
on." In New Mexico it has been
known as "pecos." The plant has also
popular German names, as it is found
in Germany.
(irow in Wet Places.
. The plants grow in wet places such
as swamps and irrigating ditches in
nearly all of our Northern and West
ern states. When the root of the plant
is cut open drops of an aromatic oil
are seen. These give the root a pe
culiar odor and are popularly thought
to be the source of the poison. The
poison is indeed in the root, but is se
creted in the form of a resin which is
distinct from the oil. Although the
poison is most deadly, the fact that it
Is confined to the roots rather than ex
tending to the tops and seeds accounts
for the fact that it causes but com
paratively few deaths. The total loss
from such weeds as "loco" and "lark
spur" is much greater.
There have been relatively few hu
man beings poisoned by this weed in
America. Most of those afflicted have
been children who have been poisoned
in the spring when the dangerous ele
ment in the" plant seems most active.
Cases of such poison are recorded in
Maine, New Hampshire, Massa
chusetts, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Ohio,
Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North
and South Dakota, Arizona, Nevada
and Utah. The total number is very
small, five eases, for instance, having
been reported in one year in Mon
tana, of which four were fatal.
Northwest Cattle Poisoned.
Lases of cattle poisoned in this
country have been noted In Washing
ton, Oregon. California, Arizona an
North Dakota. Individual owners of
stock have occasionally lost very
heavily. One man in Oregon esti
mated the loss in his immediate neigh
borhood for one year at ten per cent.
Another estimates the average annual
loss in Oregon at 100 head. The loss
of 30 head of cattle and 80 sheep was
reported for one year in Montana. The
losses are of course inconsiderable
compared with losses from other
causes.
It is usually assumed that a plant
containing an element having such a
pronounced effect on the human or
ganism has useful medicinal prop
erties. Much attention has been given
to the violent poison of water hem
lock. It has been known In Europe
since the middle of the sixteenth cen
tury and has been tried as a remedy
for various diseases with various ef
fects. In Norway it has been used for
gout. It has even been used as a
poultice for local pains. American
Indians when tired of life are said to
have poisoned themselves with it.
The dangers that accompany its
use may be drawn from the following
description of the results of water
hemlock poisoning: There is first a
pain particularly in the stomach, but
it may be general in character. Nausea
is sometimes followed by violent
vomiting or spasmodic attempts to
vomit without result. Dilated pupil,
diarrhea, labored breathing, frothing
at the mouth and gnashing of the
teeth, are other symptoms. Convul
sions may be followed by unconscious
ness or death. The symptoms in the
lower animals are like those in man
except that they are less marked.
Only a small quantity of the poison
is necessary to produce death with all
its attendant agonies.
Emetic Best Remedy.
The symptoms as described above
are quite different from those pro
duced by the drug plant called hem
lock, with which the ancient Greeks
Water Hemlock, Showing Leaves and Flowers.
were familiar. A description of the
death of Socrates from the Greek
hemlock poison is given in great de
tail by Plato. The Greeks used this
poison to do away with criminals; it
was also used by suicides. The "water
hemlock" of more temperate regions
was probably given its name merely
because it resembled the Greek plant
In being deadly poisonous. There is
no actual relation between the two
plants.
a. a.
Candidate for Democratic Nomination for
GOVERNOR
I stand for :
The abolition of the liquor traffic;
The abolishing of capital punishment;
The building of good roads;
The employment of the worthy idle;
The reduction of taxes and the partial pay
ment of same;
Economy in all the departments of our state
government;
The honor system for prisoners;
The minimum wage law.
If this platform is your sentiment and you wish
to vote for the man who advocates and stands for
it, it is absolutely necessary that you register as
a Democrat before the primaries, which will en
title you to vote for and pnt the man of your
choice in a good position for victory in the gen
eral election.
(Paid Advertisement)
TO THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS OF OREGON
On April 1st, 19H, after twelve other aspirants to the office of Governor
had announced their candidacy, I was beseiged by many friends and acquain
tances urging me to make the race, stating that so far no candidate had come
out squarely and declared for certain principles firmly enough for them. I
was asked by a great many to submit a platform on which I would run and
stand by if I were to make the race. I wrote my Ideas and principles on which
I would stand and submitted them, which I set forth elsewhere In pam
phlet. After so doing the demands for my candidacy became stronger and
stronger until finally I decided to muke the race, and if I am nominated and
elected, I shall be the people's Governor. It has been said "In a multitude
of counsel there is wisdom," and I do not believe any Governor can judiciously
perform the duties of his office without counseling his people so as to be
fully advised on all sides of the question before passing judgment, and so far
as I know this has never been done. Again, I want to say, If I am nom
inated and elected Governor, I shall visit from time to time the different sec
tions of the state, studying Its needs, and counsel with the people In public
gatherings, committees and otherwise, when there are Important issues up for
settlement, that I may at all times ascertain the best things possible for our
state government and its good people. I want this link In the affairs of our
state to begin to be welded now. Therefore I want you to feel at perfect liberty
to write me today, or any other time during my candidacy, on any subject,
giving me your ideas and getting my views of same. I want my campaign to
be a personal, heart-to-heart one. It being impossible In the short time of
which I have, on account of the lateness of my decision to run, to personally
meet and come in contact with all the voters of the state, 1 want to correspond
with all those whom I cannot meet. Your letters will be promptly answered.
In other words, I want us to be together In this campaign for a successful,
progressive, law-enforcing, greater, economical Oregon. I believe the door
of the Governor's office should be open at all times to the people, and if the
good people of Oregon should see fit to make me their Governor, I ahull at all
times be ready to hear them on any of the questions that may arise as to their
needs and the betterment of our state government. I do not believe there has
been a close enough relation between the people and their Governor. This re
lation I shall at once establish.
NATIVE OF MISSOURI
Born July 29, 1873; came to Oregon 22 years ago; located In Douglas
County, where for a number of years was engaged in farming, finally enter
ing into the raising of wholesale garden products with five brothers then
known as the firm of Cobb Bros., in which I was engaged up to seven years
ago, retiring then from the farm, coming to Portland and entering the real
estate business quite extensively. Four years ago I entered the University of
Oregon Law School, which I attended at nights, giving my attention during
the day to my business affairs. After attending the University for some two
years I passed a successful State Bar examination, admitting me to practice
law In all the courts of Oregon. I have been more than successful in each of
my business and professional adventures. I own property and pay taxes In
four counties of the state. During all this time I have closely observed and
studied the political and economical conditions and the needs of our great
state. Realizing, as I do the great importance attached to the Governor's of
fice, it was with a great degree of reluctance that I consented to offer myself
as candidate for same; but my many friends, who for many years past have
known me and have full knowledge of my principles, integrity and ability and
also my sentiments and ideas concerning governmental affairs, assured me that
if I would announce my candidacy for Governor on the Democratic ticket with
my platform, that they wculd give me their hearty and undivided support
Knowing that if my platform and principles appealed so strongly to them that
they would also appeal to the people at large, I decided to enter the race and
herewith submit my platform and candidacy for your approval. '
Trusting that it may find great favor with you, I am yours for a Greater
S- G. A. COBB.