Arsenical Poisoning of Stock. 557 



ARSENICAL POISONING OF STOCK. 



By Jas. L. Webb, F.TJ.C.V.S., Govennnent Veterinary Officer, 



Ixopo, Xatal. 



TiiK (lipi)ing' of stock in arsenical solutions for the eradication of 

 ticks has brought in its train a danger wliicli, from my experience, 

 has proved very real, namely, the occasional loss (jf farm stock from 

 arsenical poison. This loss in nuuiy cases could be avoided, and it is 

 principally for the purpose of drawing the attention of farmers to 

 the risks they run through insufficieiit attention to small details 

 when handling' arsenical mixtures that this article has been prepared. 

 The most common accidents whicli lead to fatal results from 

 arsenical poisoning are often to a great extent due to carelessness; 

 they may be classified as follows: — 



(1) Dipping- solution made too strong. — liy the aid of the isometer 

 this need never occur, and the standard strength can always be 

 correctly maintained; but fatal results sometimes happen with the 

 standard strength mixtuie for a five or seven days' dip, in this way : 

 A fresh batch of cattle, not previously dipped, is brought on to a 

 farm, and it Avill be found aftei- the first or second dipping that some 

 are scalded. If this is not noted and the cattle are ag'ain put throu"'li 

 the tank, the arsenic is very likely to become absorbed through the 

 broken skin and the aninmls so become poisoned. It is necessary to 

 use some discretion when dealing with cattle which have not been 

 accustomed to the dip. For the first half a dozen times dip in 

 three-quarter strength, or, if the tank is already hlled with standard 

 strength solution, dip once every ten to fourteen days during* the 

 first month to six weeks. If the farm on which dipping oi)erations 

 are to be commenced is infected Avith East Coast fever it is probably 

 better for a time to use the three-day dip, as this strength dip can 

 be used continuously without injurious effect. The teats and udders 

 of cows just l)efore and for some time aftei' calving ajipear to be 

 particularly susceptible to scalding with dip, especially the sides of 

 the udders where they rub against the legs when walking; this can 

 be avoided by smearing" the teats and udders with lard or vaseline 

 before dipping. 



(2) Dipping on misty or wet days, or through sucli weather 

 coining- on after animals have been dii)])ed. — Here, again, some 

 discretion is necessary. Do not put animals through the tank if the 

 weather is damp just because it happens to be your reg'ular dipping- 

 day; and always dip early in Ihe day so that the stock may get 

 thoroughly dry before the storms coine on. Arsenical poisoning from 

 absorption cannot always be avoided, for instance, when the weather 

 turns misty or wet and remains so for several days after dipping. 

 Such weather is a source of anxiety to farmers in the mist belt who 

 dip regularly. Fatalities often result under these conditions, 

 and it is quite common for cattle thus exposed to show distress, high 



