398 LEAD POISONIKG. 



Avitli an irregular and irritable state of the bowels. In cer- 

 tain instances there is a peculiar blue line along the alveoli 

 of the incisor-teeth, within a quarter of an inch of their 

 exposed necks; this is generally regarded as diagnostic, 

 although probably not invariably present. In a short time 

 the indisposition to move becomes more evident ; and if in 

 the lield, the animal is usually found standing with the head 

 depressed, and limbs drawn under the body, while the 

 muscles over various regions are irregularly affected with 

 peculiar twitchings. 



In the horse, roaring is early recognised as a distinctive 

 symptom, probably from piaralysis of nerve-tissue inducing im- 

 perfect muscular action. In cases where the symptoms have 

 continued for some weeks, confirmed paralysis of the extremities, 

 particularly of the hind ones, is apt to be established, together 

 with chronic swellings of certain of the joints of the limbs, and 

 a peculiar contraction of the flexor muscles of the fore-limbs, 

 or want of power of the extensors, the result being that the 

 animal is disposed to stand on its toes, or in progression to 

 knuckle over on the fetlock. In this we see an analogy to the 

 slow poisonous action of lead in man, where the extensor 

 muscles of the upper extremities become paralyzed in a greater 

 or less degree. On examination these paralyzed muscles give 

 us the idea of their having undergone certain atrophic and 

 degenerative changes. In addition to all these indications of 

 lead-poisoning we must never neglect the chemical examina- 

 tion or search for the metal, the detection of which, either free 

 in certain organs or combined in various tissues, is at once 

 the most convincing proof of the cause of the unhealthy 

 activities. 



In the Edinburgh Journal of Medical Science for 1852, the 

 Veterinarian ioY 18G4, and the Chemist for 1855, wiU be found 

 certain very interesting facts and observations in connection 

 with lead-poisoning, both as an acute and chronic affection, 

 which arc well worth perusal. 



Anatomical Characters. — 1. In the more active manifesta- 

 tions of saturnine poisoning the muscular system throughout 

 the entire body usually presents a blanched and softened 

 appearance. The blood is fluid, indisposed to coagulate, and 

 ijiven to stain textures wherever brought in contact with 



