DISEASES 117, 



commoner and more popularly known poisons from which are dogs are 

 most likely to suffer; and I think the following will cover the majority 

 of cases: Arsenic, cantharides, carbolic acid, corrosive sublimate, phosphor- 

 ous and strychnine. 



As. a general rule for distinguishing between the evidence of poisoning 

 and the symptoms of disease, the suddenness of the attack must weigh 

 largely; while by tracing where the dog has been, and what he has or is 

 likely to have picked up, a pretty accurate conclusion may be arrived at. 



The first step to be taken in most cases is to freely empty the stomach 

 by means of emetics such as tartar emetic, sulphate of zinc, ipecacuanha 

 wine, one of the most useful and least dangerous to use. The dose is from 

 3 drams to 8 drams in a little warm water. If none of these are at hand, 

 by drenching with lukewarm water, and afterwards giving the antidotes 

 indicated if procurable. 



If the dog suffer much pain, a dose of opium or laudanum every three 

 or four hours. Where gieat depression and weakness follow, stimulants, 

 as ether, wine, or brandy, should be given in small quantities at frequent 

 intervals. 



Arsenic is used to poison rats, mice and other vermin; in this way it is 

 frequently met with in and about country houses. 



Symptoms: Great heat and evident pain in the stomach and bowels, 

 sometimes accompanied with swelling — the belly being very tender to the 

 touch — great thirst, frequent vomiting and retching, more or less discharge 

 of a frothy saliva, and frequent evacuations of fluid, dark colored matter, 

 often marked with blood. The animal soon loses muscular power to a great 

 extent, showing an indisposition to move; the tongue, lips, etc., are red and 

 swollen, and the breathing is more and more labored and painful. 



Antidotes: Ferrugo or hydrated sesquioxide of iron, 12 parts of which 

 combine with 1 part of arsenic, froming an insoluble compound; also light 

 magnesia, which will remove l-25th its weight of arsenic from its solution 

 in water. 



Cantharides (Spanish Fly). — This is given by ignorant men for pur- 

 poses which are defeated; but, being an acrid, irritant poison, it produces 

 serious results, frequently causing inflammation of the urinary organs. 



Symptoms: Violent thirst, copious discharge of bloody mucous from 

 the stomach, mixed with which may be seen the shiny green particles of 

 the "flies;" there are great pains in the loins and bowels, swelling and 

 inflammation of the genital organs, and bloody stools and urine. 



Antidotes: An emetic should at once be resorted to, the dog should 

 afterwards be drenched with demulcents, and a dose of opium given every 

 three or four hours. 



Carbolic Acid — This produces baneful effects, even by absorption 

 through the pores of the skin, when too freely used. It causes great pros- 

 tration, with trembling of the whole frame. 



Symptoms: Extraordinary depression of the vital powers, general 

 shivering and almost constant trembling of the limbs, and a palsied motion 

 of the head. Bleeding at the nose is a frequent symptom, and the dis- 



