292 POISONS. 



same purpose ; but it is a favourite with the carter and the groom as a promoter 

 of condition. A very great proportion of farmers' servants regard it as a drug 

 effecting some good purpose, although they can scarcely define what that pur- 

 pose is ; and there is scarcely a country stable in which it is not occasionally 

 found, and in which the horse is not endangered or perhaps destroyed by its use. 

 It is high time that the horse-master looked more carefully to this, and suffered 

 no drug to be administered to his horses and cattle, except by his direction or 

 that of the medical attendant. The farmer and the gentleman can scarcely 

 conceive to what an abominable extent this vile practice prevails. The presence 

 of savine will be best detected in the stomach of a horse that has died under 

 suspicious circumstances, by the black-currant-leaf smell of the contents when 

 boiled in a little water, or beaten in a mortar. 



The Common Brake (Pteris aquilina) and the Stone Fern (Pteris crispa") 

 are violent and dangerous diuretics, and, on account of their possessing 

 this property, are probably favourites with the horse-keeper and the groom. 

 The diuretic influence is usually evident enough, but not the injurious effect 

 which it has on the lining membrane of the bladder, and the predisposition 

 to inflammation which it excites in the urinary organs. This has been too much 

 underrated, even by those who have inquired into the subject. If the cuticular 

 coat of the stomach is found not merely in a state of great inflammation, but 

 will readily peel or wash off, it must necessarily be a dangerous medicament, 

 and should be banished entirely from the stable*. 



Of the mineral poisons it will be necessary to mention only two. Arsenic 

 was once in great repute as a tonic and vermifuge. Doses sufficient to kill 

 three or four men were daily administered, and generally with impunity. In 

 some cases, however, the dose was too powerful, and the animal was destroyed. 

 Two of the pupils of the author were attending the patients of a veterinary 

 surgeon who was confined in consequence of a serious accident. Among them 

 was a valuable horse labouring under inflammation of the lungs. The disease 

 was subdued, and the patient was convalescent. At this period our friend 

 began to regain sufficient strength to travel a short distance. The first patient 

 that he visited was this horse, whose ailments had all passed away. He could 

 not, however, let well alone, but sent some arsenic balls. In less than a week 

 this noble animal was taken to the knacker's. There are far better vermifuges 

 and tonics than this dangerous drug, which will probably soon be discarded from 

 veterinary practice. 



Corrosive Sublimate is given internally, and occasionally with advantage, in 

 farcy, and, as an external application, it is used to destroy vermin, to cure 

 mange, and to dispose deep and fistulous ulcers to heal. 



It may, however, be given in too large a dose, the symptoms of which are 

 loss of appetite, discharge of saliva from the mouth, pawing, looking eagerly 

 at the flanks, rolling, profuse perspiration, thready pulse, rapid weakness, 

 violent purging and straining, convulsions, and death. 



The stomach will be found intensely inflamed, with patches of yet greatei 

 inflammation. The whole course of the intestines will be inflamed, with parti- 

 cular parts black and gangrenous. 



The antidote, if it is not too late to administer it, would be for arsenic, lime- 

 water, or chalk and water, or soap and water, given in great quantities by 

 means of the stomach-pump ; and for corrosive sublimate, the white of eggs 

 mixed with water, or thick starch, or arrow-root. 



Is there really occasion for the owner of horses to be acquainted with these 

 things? Long experience has taught the author that poisoning with these 



* See an account of some experiments on these substances, by Mr. Cupiss, in the early 

 numbers of " The Sportsman." 



