32 Ve/enfiarr Medicine. 



bitters are of great value in improving the tone of the system 

 and securing antisepsis of the intestinal canal. The sulphites 

 too may be given with advantage internally. In depressed con- 

 ditions alcoholic stimulants may be used both as local antiseptics 

 and general stimulants. As in other animals ulcers may be 

 touched with a rod dipped in tincture of iodine, or a .strong solu- 

 tion of chloride of zinc, or nitrate of silver. 



MERCURIAL STOMATITIS. 



Animals suffering. Causes : mercurial baths, ointments, blisters and sur- 

 gical dressings ; mercurial vapors ; deposits on vegetation ; rat poisons ; 

 malicious poisoning. Lethal dose in horse, ox, sheep and goat. Mature 

 and old eliminate more slowly. Symptoms ; Salivation ; red, swollen buc- 

 cal mucosa ; gingivitis ; loosening of teeth ; fcetor ; ulceration ; anorexia ; 

 gastro-intestinal tympany ; loose, fcetid stools ; fever ; weakness ; dysp- 

 noea ; langor ; blood extravasation in nose, mouth, throat, bowels, womb, 

 skin ; abortion ; skin eruptions. Lesions in mouth, stomach, intestines, 

 serosae, kidneys, muscles, encephalon. Treatment ; stop the introduction 

 of mercury ; as antidote potassium sulphide ; emetic ; cathartic ; mucilagi- 

 nous and albuminous antidotes ; potassium iodide as an eliminating 

 agent. Locally potassium sulphide or chlorate. Iron tonics. 



This has been especially seen in the sheep, dog and ox, and 

 less frequently in other domestic animals. 



Causes. In sheep the use of baths containing corrosive subli- 

 mate, or of mercurial ointment for acariasis or other ctitaneous 

 para.sitism. In other animals it comes mostly from licking mer- 

 ctirial dressings applied to the skin — calomel, red precipitate, 

 mercurial ointment, protoiodide of mercury. The red iodide 

 being more irritating is less frequently taken in. The modern 

 extensive usage of mercuric chloride solutions as surgical anti- 

 septics opens up a new channel of infection. In the injection of 

 the uterus or of large abscesses, or in the daily irrigation of large 

 wounds a dangerous amount may be absorbed. The application 

 of this agent as a caustic in cases of tumors is correspondingly 

 dangerous. Vapors from metallic mercury in confined spaces as 

 in ships' holds, or from fires on which the mercurial compounds 



