652 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Sept. 2, 1920. 



The following notes indicate the animals usually affected by different 

 poisons, the means by which they may become afiected, and what portions 

 of the body should be submitted for examination when that particular poison 

 is suspected : — 



Arsenic. — The usual sources of the poison are dips and drenches, but cases 

 of poisoning occur from rat powders, smelting furnaces (from the deposition 

 of arsenic on the pastures round the works), paint, from improper dosage 

 and from malicious poisoning. The animals usually affected are cattle and 

 sheep, but horiises, pigs and other animals may suffer at times. 



For analysis the organs required are parts of the stomach and intestinal 

 walls (the whole viscera in small animals), portions of the contents of 

 stomach and intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys, and the ci'op in fowls. 



Antimony. — Poisoning is usually due in this case to overdosing with 

 condition powders, and the animals usually affected are horses. The material 

 required is the stomach and contents, liver, spleen, and muscle (about a couple 

 of pounds from the thigh and chest). 



Copper. — As a result of overdosing for worms or from the use of sprays in 

 the orchard, sheep are commonly affected by this poison, but any animal 

 may suffer. The organs required are the stomach and contents, part of 

 intestines and contents, liver, lungs, and kidneys. 



Lead. — Cattle ai'e most affected by lead poisoning from their habit of 

 licking and eating paint, but the effluvia from lead works by impregnating 

 herbage has been responsible for mortality in various kinds of stock. 



For analysis the organs which should preferably be submitted are the 

 liver and kidneys, muscle, and bones. Portion of the contents of .the 

 alimentary tract should also be forwarded, and the reticulum in cases of 

 chronic poisoning in ruminants. 



Mercury. — Poisoning from improper dosage, absorption of mercury from 

 ointments, and uterine iriigation occurs most commonly in cattle, but the 

 vapour from works and mines may render the pastures poisonous. The 

 materials required for analysis are the kidneys, liver, stomach and intestines 

 and part of contents, the crop in birds, and part of the contents of the 

 rumen in cattle. 



Zinc. — Poisoning from this source is rare, but may happen from accidental 

 administration. The materials required are the faeces, liver, kidney, and spleen. 



Phosphorus. — A common cause of poisoning, owing to its wide use as a 

 rat and rabbit poison. Portions of the stomach and intestine and their 

 contents should be forwarded with the liver, kidney, heart, and muscles. 

 The gullet and gizzard should be forwarded in the case of birds. 



Sodium Chloride (common salt). — Usually associated with mortality 

 among pigs and fowls. Portions of the injesta should be submitted, and 

 some of the food last fed to the animals or birds. 



Hydrocyanic Acid. — Cases of })oisoning by hydrocyanic acid (prussic 

 acid) are most commonly due to the consumption by stock of plants which 

 contain the necessary constituents for forming the acid, but it may occur 



