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amongst the Editorial Gleanings, some interesting particulars, taken from

“ Merck’s Annual Report for 1900,” are given of the occasional failure of

strychnine to effectively dispose of dogs and other animals to which this

poison had been administered. The few words which chiefly concern us

run as follows: — “ Complaints have, however, been made for a number of

years to the effect that at times strychnine has shown itself ineffective,

especially with large animals, which has induced the writer to enquire into

the causes of this phenomenon. Strychnine and its salts—in particular its

nitrate—which is commonly used for poisoning purposes, are, chemically,

very stable compounds, and their toxic efficacy remains unchanged for

years. Its occasional inefficiency can therefore have its cause exclusively

in the mode of administration, the state of the bodj r , especially the extent

to which the stomach is charged, and the presence or absence of the

tendency to vomit .... It appears that strychnine nitrate may be

administered internally to Dogs in the solid form without detriment to

the degree and promptness of its action .... wlieras they recovered if the

same dose was given in the form of a solution.”


It will be seen, therefore, that my case was not unique, except in

matters of detail.


Unfortunately the article does not give us any practical assistance in

the disposing of our mice. While stating the exact amount of strychnine

which must be administered in order to kill certain animals, from the lion

and the bear to the fowl and the pigeon, the all important mouse has been

omitted form the list, perhaps for the obvious reason that, if we can catch

a mouse for the purpose of balling it with a definite weight of strychnine,

we may possibly be able to dispense with the strychnine altogether.


Perhaps I should point out that Battle's Vermin Killer used to be

effective here, but seemed steadily to lose its power over the mice. Assuming

it to have been unadulterated and not too stale, there must have been some

resisting or non-receptive condition in the mice themselves, increasing as

the use of the poison was continued, that caused this gradual failure; and

the latter seems to point, as I suggested, to a breed of mice having been

raised here which, self-inoculated generation after generation, had become

practically immune.


But I have got rid of the mice for the present. For several months

I have been using fully a dozen common break-back traps baited with a

good lump of cooked beef. The best meat is not necessary for this purpose;

some of the less valuable parts will do, only let it be a good solid lump.

The traps are hidden away behind boxes, furniture, etc., are scattered about

all over the house, and are left untouched for two or three weeks, when

they are re-baited. Of course they must not be placed where the birds can

get at them. It is important that the traps should be regularly inspected,

and all captures promptly removed.


For how long the mice have retired I do not know. I11 the mean¬

while, I and my birds are happy. Reginald Phipgipps.



