52 Journal of Agriculture. [ii Jan., 19091 



Treatment. — Milk, gruel, boiled starch and gum-water should be 

 given, but not any oily substance because of the solubility of phosphorus- 

 in oil. Turpentine is also a recognised antidote and may be given in doses 

 of from two to four ounces. Full doses of magnesia (i to 2 lbs.) mav. 

 also be given with good effect. 



Mercurialism. 



Mercury poisoning is not common in animals. When it occurs it is 

 usually a result of the indiscriminate use of mercurial sheep dips, or of 

 mercury ointments applied to wounds used as dressings in skin diseases. 

 In such cases the mercury is readily absorbed into the system through the 

 skin. Young cattle which ha\e been treated for ringworm, and dogs, 

 under treatment for mange with mercurial ointment, ha^•e occasionally been 

 so poisoned. 



Symptoms. — The most marked svmptom in mercurialism is what is 

 known as " salivation " or ptvalism which is a profu.se secretion of 

 saliva, accompanied by an aimless masticatory movement of the jaws. The 

 saliva drips from the mouth, the gums are swollen and sore, and the 

 secretion of tears is also profuse. 



Treatment. — When mercury has been taken into the stomach the appro- 

 priate antidotes are sulphur, which forms the insoluble sulphide of mer- 

 cury ; and albumen, in the form of white of egg or milk or curds, which 

 combines with the mercury and forms an insoluble albuminate of mercury. 

 Other treatment would include the giving of sedatives to allay pain and 

 irritation. 



Acid Poisoning. 



The three mineral acids, Sulphuric Acid or Oil of Vitriol, Nitric Acid 

 and Hydrochloric Acid or Spirit of Salts, are responsible most frequently 

 for acid poisoning. Thev may be given in mistake for more bland medi- 

 cines and their poisonous effect is due to their irritant and corrosive action 

 on the lining of the mouth, gullet, stomach and intestines. The dis- 

 coloration of the parts attacked by the acid varies. Sulphuric acid chars 

 organic matter and imparts a black stain ; nitric acid produces a vellov 

 coloration, and acetic acid whitens the tissues. 



Treatment consists in the giving of large doses of opium preparation> 

 to subdue the pain, followed bv oil and mucilaginous drenches to alla\ 

 the irritation. Lime water, soap-water, washing soda, magnesia, chalk 

 or other alkalies should be given as neutralizing agents. 



All^ali Poisoning. 



Poisoning by Caustic Soda. Ammonia, or Potash should be counter 

 acted bv the giving of copiously diluted doses of vinegar, lime juice, 

 lemon juice or other mild acid. The symi>toms of both acid and alkali 

 poisoning are similar to those common to other forms of irritant poisoning 

 descriljed above. 



Carbolic Acid Poisoning. 



Poi-soning bv carbolic acid or anv of the other derivatives of coal or 

 wood tar such as creosote, crc<^)lin, phenyle, Jeye's fluid and Macdougall's 

 dip, occurs occasionally through inadvertence in giving one or other of 

 these in mistake for another medicament. 



