POISONING AND TRAPPING 293 



than most other poisons. Should strychnine 

 be accidentally swallowed by an adult, antidotes 

 are usually available, and by prompt action a 

 fatal result may be prevented. 1 



Experiments by the Biological Survey show 

 that strychnine, all things considered, is a 

 cheaper poison than arsenic. Strychnia sul- 

 phate may be purchased in bulk at about 75 

 cents an ounce; white arsenic costs about 15 

 cents a pound. An ounce of strychnine will 

 thoroughly poison 60 pounds of wheat intended 

 for field-mice; a pound of arsenic will poison 

 only 10 to 12 pounds of the grain for the same 

 purpose. The cost of preparing the 60 pounds 

 of wheat, therefore, will be about the same with 

 either poison; but more of that containing 



1 "In case of poisoning by strychnine an emetic should be 

 promptly given a teaspoonful of mustard in a glass of water 

 (warm, if available). Another excellent emetic is zinc sul- 

 phate (10 to 60 grains in tepid water) or apomorphine (4 

 drops by hypodermic injection). A stomach pump cannot be 

 used after the first few minutes. As soon as the emetic has 

 acted, the patient should be put slightly under the influence 

 of chloroform or ether, and kept so for several hours. He 

 should be kept in a darkened room and away from noise of 

 all kinds. Further treatment may be left to the physician, 

 who should be summoned as soon as the poisoning is dis- 

 covered." U. S. Dept. Agr., Yearbook, 1909. 



