Phalaris arundinaceaas a cause of deaths and incoordination in sheep

Abstract
Extract Phalaris tuberosa, a common pasture plant, may on occasions cause inco-ordination (staggers) and/or death in sheep and cattle ( McDonald, 1942 McDonald, I. W. 1942. A “staggers” syndrome in sheep and cattle associated with grazing on Phalaris tuberosa. Aust. vet. J., 18: 182–189. [Google Scholar] ; Le Soeuf, 1948 Le Soeuf, H. D. 1948. Poisoning of sheep by Phalaris tuberosa. Aust. vet. J., 24: 12–13. [Google Scholar] ; Lee and Kuchel, 1953 Blood, D. C and Henderson, J. A. 1967. Veterinary Medicine, 3rd Ed., 820–821. London: Bailliére, Tindall and Cassell. [Google Scholar] ; Milne, 1955 Milne, J. A. 1955. The occurrence of Phalaris staggers in sheep. N.Z. vet. J., 3: 119–121. [Taylor & Francis Online] [Google Scholar] ; Watson, 1956 Watson, E. F. 1956. An outbreak of Phalaris staggers in sheep at Kojunup, Western Australia. J. Aust. Inst.Agric. Sci., 22: 209–211. [Google Scholar] ; Moore et al, 1961 Moore, R. M. , Arnold, G. W. , Hutchings, R. J. and Chapman, H. W. 1961. Poisoning of Merino Sheep on Phalaris tuberosa L. pastures. Aust. J. Sci., 24: 88–89. [Google Scholar] ; Gallagher et al, 1964 Gallagher, C. H. , Koch, J. H. , Moore, R. M. and Steel, J. D. 1964. Toxicity of Phalaris tuberosa for sheep. Nature, 203: 542–545. (Lond.) [Google Scholar] ). Acutetoxicity may be manifested by sudden death( Moore et al, 1961 Moore, R. M. , Arnold, G. W. , Hutchings, R. J. and Chapman, H. W. 1961. Poisoning of Merino Sheep on Phalaris tuberosa L. pastures. Aust. J. Sci., 24: 88–89. [Google Scholar] ; Gallagher et al, 1964 Gallagher, C. H. , Koch, J. H. , Moore, R. M. and Steel, J. D. 1964. Toxicity of Phalaris tuberosa for sheep. Nature, 203: 542–545. (Lond.) [Google Scholar] ; Gallagher et al, 1967 Gallagher, C. H. , Koch, J. H. and Hoffman, H. 1967. Deaths of ruminants grazing Phalaris tuberosa in Australia. Aust. vet. J., 43: 495–500. [Google Scholar] ), due to arhythmic tachycardias and ventricular fibrillations with cardiac failure ( Gallagher etal, 1964 Gallagher, C. H. , Koch, J. H. , Moore, R. M. and Steel, J. D. 1964. Toxicity of Phalaris tuberosa for sheep. Nature, 203: 542–545. (Lond.) [Google Scholar] ).