58 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



vary in their susceptibility to strychnia, some being acted upon by very 

 small doses, which others take with impunity; this being so, the greatest 

 care should be observed in its use, and none but the professional man 

 should undertake to prescribe it. Again, indifference to plainly printed 

 instructions or written labels is so common, and not confined to the wholly 

 illiterate, that entire packets of " vermin -killer" have been given in a 

 mash in lieu of alterative powders, some of which are very similar in 

 colour and appearance. 



Symptoms. — Unless the stomach is quite empty, and the drug taken 

 in solution, its effects are not manifest for some twenty minutes. Kest- 

 lessness and excitement, with an exalted sense of hearing and vision, 

 are observed in the first instance, the movements of the animal are spas- 

 modic and involuntary, suddenly terminating in fits of tetanic spasm, in 

 which the animal falls to the ground and becomes perfectly rigid; relaxa- 

 tion of the spasm and a state of quiet may follow, but if touched ever so 

 lightly a new paroxysm is commenced. After a variable period, according 

 to the amount and intensity of the poisoning, the spasm is relaxed, and 

 beyond the hurried breathing and appearance of having undergone some 

 recent extraordinary excitement, the patient appears to be nearly well. 

 The remission is, however, but temporary, similar seizures follow again 

 and again, and in one of them the animal may die, or, the intervals 

 between them becoming longer, and the paroxysms less violent, recovery 

 follows. 



Treatment. — The most potent antidote to this form of poisoning is 

 chloroform, inhaled to the point of insensibility, and repeated with the 

 recurrence of each spasm. It may be truly said that there is absolutely 

 no danger of overdoing it until complete relaxation of the spasm indicates 

 its withdrawal. 



In the intervals, if practicable, large doses of animal charcoal and 

 tannic acid may be given in the form of a drench, with water, and alter- 

 nated with bold doses of chloral and bromide of potassium. It is quite 

 possible with these remedies at hand to effect a cure even when a fatal 

 dose has been taken, but it seldom happens that skilled professional 

 assistance can be soon enough obtained. Soot and water may be used 

 in place of charcoal, and absolute quiet enjoined until a veterinary surgeon 

 arrives. 



INDIAN PEA. DOG-TOOTH PEA 



We have employed the popular term for this dangerous food-stuff, but 

 it is not a pea ; it is a vetch, and its botanical name is Lathyrus sativus. 

 In India this seed has been used as a food-stuff among the lower-caste 



