POISONS. 493 



it may be inferred that the liver is in a very disordered con- 

 dition, and in that case a cure is hopeless. Mercurial reme- 

 dies have been recommended and tried with good results. 



POISONS. 



Symptoms. — Great distension of the intestines and vio- 

 lent pain are the symptoms attendant upon cattle which 

 have eaten poisonous or highly narcotic vegetables. 



In this country there are no poisonous animals whose bite 

 will prove fatal to horned cattle. From the bite of the viper, 

 swelling and pain in the spot bitten may take place, but 

 these will generally disappear after suppuration. However, 

 it sometimes happens that cattle when hungry will feed 

 upon plants which are poisonous in their nature, such as 

 the leaves of digitalis, or foxglove, poppies, and even lettuce, 

 which, from their narcotic properties, induce sleep, and when 

 taken in too large quantities produce a state resembling 

 apoplexy, and terminate in death. Besides the plants 

 above mentioned, we may also state that, henbane, deadly- 

 nightshade, woody-nightshade, laurel, and stramoneum, have 

 highly narcotic properties. 



Remedies. — Vinegar counteracts the effects of narcotics. 

 A pint may be given to a cow or ox, which will generally 

 be found a sufficient dose, especially if heated before being 

 administered. 



The following recipe has also been found an effectual 

 remedy : — 



Nitre in powder 



Gum foetida, powdered 



Prepared kali 



Mithridate . 



Tartarized antimony 

 to be given in a pint of gruel 



