PECULIAK TO nOESES. ' 111 



of causes, calls for the most serious attention of veterinarians ; and 

 we may, in the course of time, unravel some of the mystery attend- 

 ing that very numerous class of diseases described by continental 

 authors under the head ' Carbuncular Affections," or different forms 

 of anthrax. From the Latin carbo, the term carbuncular has been 

 derived ; and all the diseases thus designated have the peculiarity 

 of inducing, or being attended by, a black or a very dark color of 

 the blood. But this character is too vague to warrant the grouping 

 together of many maladies distinguished from each other by very 

 important signs and results." 



POISONING BY ARSENIC. 



The following case from my note book may furnish the reader some 

 valuable information in view of saving the life of a horse when acci- 

 dentally or maliciously poisoned by the destructive agent known as 

 arsenic, or rats-bane. 



History of the Case. — The subject, a roan gelding, aged eight 

 years, the property of Messrs. Flanders & Eastman, of Boston, was 

 employed in the capacity of a truck-horse, and used as a leader. On 

 the 10th of August, 1861, a quantity of arsenic, packed in kegs not 

 properly coopered, was landed on one of the wharves, and the above 

 firm were engaged to truck it to the store of the consignees. While 

 rolling the kegs on the truck, a quantity of the arsenic was distri- 

 buted over the shafts, and before the driver was aware of it, the 

 horse had gathered and swallowed a quantity of the poison. Imme- 

 diately on discovering what the animal was about, the driver, with 

 a gloved hand, removed from the tongue and lips as much as possi- 

 ble of the poison. The horse was shortly afterwards taken to the 

 stable of its owner, when I was called to attend him. 



Appearance op the Patient at the Stable. — The pulse, at 

 the angle of the jaw, was quickened, yet scarcely perceptible ; show- 

 ing that the poison had acted as a sedative or depressor of the heart's 

 function ; respiratory action rather laborious ; surface of the body 

 rather chilly ; lower parts of the limbs quite cold : visible surfaces, 

 viz., those of the mouth, nose and eyes, considerably injected or 

 reddened ; mouth hot, and the breath had a very bad odor. On ap- 

 plying my ear to the walls of the abdomen, I detected an active 

 rumbling noise. 



Treatment. — Administered one pint of lime water, and the white 

 or albumen of two eggs ; the surface of the body was then faith- 

 fully rubbed with straw, and willing arms ; and finally, a pint of 

 lime water to half a bucket of pure water was placed before the 

 patient, so that in case he should be thirsty he might satisfy that 

 thirst, and at the same time introduce a portion of lime water within 

 the stomach. It now being near midnight, I gave one ounce and a 

 half of pure glycerine, and left the animal in charge of his owners. 



Early on the following morning I found active purgation had com- 

 menced ; this I considered a favorable omen — an effort of nature to 



