NPPF - Incest theme

[Paul Mackin]

On Wed, 2003-07-16 at 12:10, David Morris wrote:
> 
> --- Paul Mackin <paul.mackin at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> > Didn't know they were toxic. None of our pets has shown any ill effects from
> chewing them.
> 
> http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/yew.htm
> 
> POISON LOCATION:
> Seeds, and leaves of yew shrubs. The pulp of the scarlet, berry-like fruit is
> harmless, but the seeds inside can be FATAL. Male and female shrubs are
> distinct; fruit is found only on female plants.
> 
> POISON TYPE:
> Alkaloids which supress heart function. Recently, bark extracts of Yew plants
> have been identified for experimental treatment of cancer.
> 
> TYPICAL POISONING SCENARIO:
> Accidental consumption of fruit by children who are attracted by the pretty,
> red "berries." If you have Yew in the neighborhood, it is important to prevent
> small children picking & eating the fruit. 
> 
> SYMPTOMS:
> Ingestion of enough seeds can cause trembling and breathing difficulty, as well
> as suppressed heart action. The poison is highly toxic; in some cases, death
> occurs suddenly without any prior symptoms at all.
> 


Now that I think about it, I've noticed that although many varieties of
birds alight in the hedges they never seem to eat the red berries.

We've had three different dogs and three different cats since I've lived
here. All but the last still present dog died at quite advanced ages.

The wisdom of nature.

P.