Cicuta toxicosis in cattle: case history and simplified analytical method

Poisoning of cattle by water hemlock roots is a common occurrence. The experience of our Pathology Branch has been that the roots will be found in the esophageal groove with no obvious signs of root in the rumen. Confirmation of the presence of cicuta poisoning is done by analysis for cicutoxin in either the roots of the plants on which the animals were grazing or on the root material removed from the esophageal groove. This report describes a rapid and simple analysis for cicutoxin, cicutol and related compounds (1).