386 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



are red, have thick walls, and contain blood. This signifies a severe 

 irritant, such as arsenic or corrosive sublimate. Other alterations 

 sometimes found are inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, points 

 of hemorrhage in various organs, changes in the blood, congestion 

 of the lungs, and certain microscopic changes. 



General Treatment. The treatment of animals suffering from 

 poison must vary according to the nature of the toxic agent. There 

 are a few general plans of action, however, which should be followed 

 so far as possible. In man and in some of the smaller animals it is 

 possible to eliminate unabsorbed poison by the use of the stomach 

 pump or by causing vomiting. These proceedings are impracticable 

 in cattle. It is well, therefore, in many cases to endeavor to expel 

 the unabsorbed poison by emptying the digestive tract, so far as may 

 be, with a non-irritating purge. Castor oil in doses of 1 pint to 

 2 quarts is best adapted to this purpose. If the poison is known to 

 be nonirritant as a narcotic plant from 10 to 20 drops of croton 

 oil may be given with a quart of castor oil. To protect the mucous 

 membrane from the action of strong irritants one may give flaxseed 

 tea, barley water, the whites of eggs, milk, butter, olive oil, or fresh 

 lard. Chemical antidotes may sometimes be used for special poisons, 

 as advised below. In general, if an acid has been taken it may be 

 neutralized with an alkali, such as chalk, magnesia, bicarbonate of 

 soda (baking soda), ammonia (diluted), or soap. If the poison is 

 an alkali, such as caustic soda or potash (lye), or ammonia, an acid, 

 such as diluted (1 per cent) sulphuric acid or vinegar, may be ad- 

 ministered. Special treatments and antidotes are considered below. 



A poisonous agent may be so gradually introduced into the sys- 

 tem as to slowly develop the power of resistance against its own action. 

 In other cases, where the poison is introduced slowly, the poisonous 

 action becomes cumulative, and although there is no increase in the 

 quantity taken, violent symptoms are suddenly developed, as if the 

 whole amount, the consumption of whicH may have extended over a 

 considerable period, had been given in one dose. Other agents, 

 poisonous in their nature, tend to deteriorate some of the important 

 organs and, interfering with their natural functions, are productive of 

 conditions of ill health which, although not necessarily fatal, are 

 important. Such a class might properly be called chronic poisons. 

 Poisons of themselves dangerous when administered in large doses 

 are used medicinally for curative purposes, and a very large percent- 

 age of the pharmaceutical preparations used in the practice of medi- 

 cine if given in excessive quantities might produce serious results. 

 In the administration of medicines, therefore, care should be exer- 

 cised not only that the animal is not poisoned by the administration 

 of an excessive dose, but that injury is not done by continued treat- 

 ment with medicines the administration of which is not called for. 



MINERAL POISONS. 



Arsenic Poisoning. Of the common irritant and corrosive 

 poisons, arsenic, especially one of its compounds (Paris green, 

 ScheePs green, or cobalt), is likely to be the most dangerous to our 

 class of patients. The common practice of using Paris green as an 



