204 



TOXICOLOGICAL CHART 



IL — NARCOTIC POISONS. 



These produce Stupor, Delirimn, and other affections of (he Brain and Nervous Si/stem, 



followed by Death. 



AGENT. 



OPIUM. 



Ojnian. 



Symptoms. — The horse will bear large 

 doses of this drug ; the quantity necessary 

 to destroy life is consequently great. Sup- 

 posed instances are recorded of its causing 

 death when given in doses of a few drachms 

 in order to check superpurgation ; also when 

 the animal has been debilitated by disease, 

 when symptoms of enteritis have shown 

 themselves, accompanied with a torpitude 

 of the bowels, and much suffering previous 

 to death. Much larger quantities have, 

 however, often been given with impunity, 

 and frequently "with advantage. 



Treatment. — Expulsion of the agent 

 from out the alimentary tube by means of 

 oleaginous purgatives, enemata, venesec- 

 tion, and a free use of demulcents, with 

 fomentations to the abdomen, and counter- 

 irritants to the extremities. 



Should a state of stupor prevail, exercise 

 may be given, and cold water dashed over 

 the head. 



Morbid Appearances. — The mucous lin- 

 ing of the stomach and intestines inflamed, 

 and easily torn asunder, the inflammation 

 being diffused. This has been thought to 

 be a distinctive between the effects induced 

 by mineral and vegetable poisons ; but it 

 cannot be relied upon, as repeated small 

 doses of an erodent will induce the like 

 appearances, only there will be more thick- 

 ening of the tunics. 



Tests. — Odor, which is characteristic. 

 To the suspected matter add distilled water 

 acidulated with acetic acid ; agitate for a 

 few minutes, filter and evaporate to the con- 

 sistence of syrup ; boil this in alcohol, and 

 again filter and evaporate ; dissolve the re- 

 siduum in distilled water, and add to the 

 solution acetate of lead, which leaves mor- 



phia in solution : this being heated with 

 sulphuretted hydrogen, any remaining lead 

 will be precipitated. On nitric acid being 

 added to the morphia obtained by evapora- 

 tion, it dissolves with effervescence, and 

 becomes of an orange-red color. Suspended 

 in water and treated with a drop or two of 

 the permuriate of iron, it is also dissolved, 

 and forms a greenish-blue solution. 



AGENT. 



TAXUS BACCATA. 



The Yeio. 



Symptoms. — Effects variable ; large quan- 

 tities have sometimes failed to cause any 

 injury, while at others comparatively small 

 quantities have destroyed life. It would 

 appear to be very insidious in its influence, 

 as the animal generally drops down dead 

 without indicating any previous suffering. 

 In some instances slight convulsions have 

 preceded death. The partially dried leaves 

 appear to be more energetic than the green 

 leaves, probably from greater quantities be- 

 ing partaken of. 



Treatment. — Usually no opportunity is 

 afforded for the employment of remedies. 

 Should it, however, be the case that the 

 leaves of yew are suspected to have been 

 eaten, I am not aware of any method which 

 could be adopted but that of endeavoring 

 to expel them from the system as quicldy 

 as possible, which may be effected by active 

 pm-gatives. The after-treatment wall de- 

 pend upon the symptoms which may pre- 

 sent themselves. 



Morbid Appearances. — The alimentary 

 tube distended with faecal matter in a semi- 

 fluid state, and highly fetid gases. 



The mucous lining inflamed throughout, 

 particularly of the larger intestines, with 

 here and there patches of extravasated 

 blood. 



