400 Journal of Agricultural Research voi. xii, no. ^ 



EPSOM SALT 



For worms in dogs. — Epsom salt was tested once as a preliminary 

 purge on three dogs which were given the salt in molasses at the rate of 

 4 gm. to each 5 kilos of weight. It had no effect on ascarids {Belascaris 

 marginata), hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum), whipworms {Trichuris 

 depressiuscula) , Dipyidium caninum, or Taenia pisiformis, all of which 

 were found present at post-mortem examination. Epsom salt is ex- 

 tremely distasteful to dogs and is likely to promote vomiting. The 

 salt is best given in a vehicle like molasses, which serves to disguise 

 the taste. Aside from this objectionable feature, the salt is less effective 

 in dogs than other purgatives, such as castor oil or calomel, and is not 

 particularly useful in canine practice. 



For worms in hogs. — Campbell {19 17), in a discussion of the treat- 

 ment of swine for worms, mentions the use by a western veterinarian 

 of Epsom salt dissolved in the drinking water. He says that the hogs 

 are kept away from water for 12 to 24 hours, in warm weather not so 

 long, in cold weather even longer. One ounce (28.35 g^i-) of the salt is 

 allowed for pigs and up to eight ounces (226.79 g^i.) for hogs, then twice 

 this quantity is added to allow for waste. It is then given in the drinking 

 trough. The pigs being thirsty drink it. This completes the treatment. 

 A test of this treatment was made by the junior writer on two pigs weigh- 

 ing about 23 kgm. (50 pounds) each. The animals were kept in separate 

 pens on board floors and deprived of both food and water for 24 hours. 

 Each pig was then given 226.8 gm. (8 ounces) of Epsom salt dissolved in 

 about 3.8 liters (i gallon) of water and placed in the drinking troughs. 

 The pigs took a few swallows of the water and refused to taste more, 

 showing their resentment by overturning the troughs and spilling the 

 contents. The experiment was therefore repeated a few days later, the 

 troughs being nailed to the floor. After 24 hours without food or water 

 the pigs were given the salts as before and as in the previous experiment, 

 took only a few swallows, refusing to drink more. Although no other 

 water was given them for the next 24 hours, the troughs remained appar- 

 ently as full of the salt solution as at the beginning of the experiment. 

 As the pigs had now been without food and had drunk practically no 

 water for 48 hours, the salt water was removed and fresh water and food 

 given. The examination of the feces during the next three days revealed 

 no parasites excepting one nodular worm (Oesophagostomum dentatum). 

 The pigs were not killed, as the experiment was evidently a failure. A 

 microscopic examination of the last fecal samples collected showed 

 numerous ascarid eggs. 



As it was evident that the Epsom salt in a solution of the strength 

 given was extremely distasteful, it was decided to repeat the experiment 

 with a weaker solution which the pigs might be induced to drink if suffi- 

 ciently thirsty. Accordingly, the pigs were again deprived of food and 



