Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 651 



Suspected Cases of Poisoning of Stock. 



The Correct Material and its Submission for Analysis. 



MAX HENRY, M.R.C.V.S., B.V.Sc, Government Veterinary Surgeon, and 

 E. GRIFFITH, B.Sc, A.I.C., Assistant Chemist. 



From time to time material is submitted to the Department for the purpose 

 of analysis in connection with suspected cases of poisoning in stock, and not 

 infrequently the work of the officers who have to make the analysis is hampered 

 or unduly increased by the manner in which this material is forwarded. In 

 such cases the results are unsatisfactory and disappointing to both parties 

 concerned. It is to prevent this, and at the same time to make it more likely 

 that a successful result will be obtained from the analysis, that the following 

 instructions are given. 



In the first place all such material should be forwarded to the Chief 

 Inspector of Stock, together with a full report of the circumstances surround- 

 ing the mortality. The report should state the class and number of animals 

 dead, condition of the stock and pastures, nature of feed and water supply, 

 any changes in the food, recent history of the stock, symptoms of illness shown 

 if possible, and where a post-mortem examination can be made, the appearances 

 noted. 



Any possible complicating factors, such as recent dipping or drenching, 

 poisoning for rabbits and other animals, or the use of sprays for destroying 

 plant parasites or plants should be mentioned, and the name of the medica- 

 ment or agent used should be given. 



A report correctly made on these lines will often give a clue to the probable 

 cause of death, and will certainly enable the veterinary officer and the chemist 

 •who have to deal with the matter to exclude many possible causes, and so 

 save much time and work in arriving at a conclusion. 



Every effort should be made to see that the material is despatched with as 

 .little loss of time as possible and by the quickest route ; the fresher it is when 

 received, the more chance there is of a successful examination, especially with 

 volatile poisons such as prussic acid. 



The material should be packed in clean, water-tight bottles and jars. No 

 disinfectant should be used, as this introduces foreign substances and may 

 mislead the analyst, and the material should not be placed in water, alcohol, 

 or any other preservatives. 



It is better to err on the side of sending too much than too small an 

 amount of material, especially if there is doubt as to the nature of the poison, 

 since it will have to be divided into several portions during analysis. 



It should be recognised that different poisons are found deposited in 

 different organs, and are not evenly distributed throughout the body. 



