388 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



Symptoms are generally dullness, lying down with the head 

 turned toward the flank, colic, rumbling in the abdomen, loss of con- 

 trol of the limbs when walking, twitching, champing of the jaws, 

 moving in a circle, convulsions, delirium, violent bellowing, followed 

 by stupor and death. The symptoms generally extend over consid- 

 erable time, but may end in death after twenty-four hours. 



The treatment should first be directed toward removing the 

 cause. A large dose of purgative medicine should be given, and 

 the brain symptoms be relieved by giving bromid of potassium in 

 half-ounce doses every four or five hours, and the application of cold 

 water to the head. Dilute sulphuric acid in half-ounce doses should 

 be given with the purgative medicine. In this case sulphate of mag- 

 nesia (Epsom salts) is the best purgative, and it may be given in doses 

 of from 1 to 2 pounds dissolved in warm water. After the acute symp- 

 toms have abated, iodide of potassium may be given, in doses of 2 

 drams each, three times a day for a week. 



Chronic lead poisoning occasionally occurs in districts where 

 lead mining is the principal industry. The waste products of the 

 mine thrown into streams contaminate the water supply, so that the 

 mineral is taken into the system gradually, and a very small per cent 

 of any of the salts taken into the system in this way is pernicious. 

 Water which contains any salt of lead to the extent of more than one- 

 tenth of a grain to the gallon is unfit to drink. Such water when used 

 continually is likely to produce colic from the resulting intestinal 

 irritation, and in aggravated cases paralysis more or less severe is 

 likely to be developed. A blue line on the margin of the gums, the 

 last symptom, is regarded as diagnostic and its presence as conclusive 

 evidence of the nature of the disorder. The free use of purgatives 

 is indicated with iodid of potassium. No treatment is likely to be of 

 avail until the cause is removed. 



Copper Poisoning. The soluble salts of copper, though used as 

 a tonic in the medicinal treatment of cattle, are poisonous when taken 

 in large quantities. Like lead and arsenic, they have an irritant 

 effect upon the mucous membrane with which they come in contact 

 in a concentrated form. Cattle are not very likely to be poisoned 

 from this cause unless through carelessness. The salts of copper 

 the most common of which is the sulphate of copper, commonly called 

 blue vitriol is occasionally used for disinfecting and cleansing sta- 

 bles, where it might inadvertently be mixed with the food. It is also 

 used largely for making the Bordeaux mixture used in spraying fruit 

 trees. The general symptoms produced are those of intestinal irrita- 

 tion, short breathing, stamping, and tender abdomen. 



Give powdered iron, or iron reduced by hydrogen, or calcined 

 magnesia. Sulphur may be used. This should be followed by a 

 liberal supply of demulcents, linseed infusion, boiled starch, whites 

 of eggs, etc. 



Zinc Poisoning. Several of the soluble salts of zinc are irritant 

 poisons. The chlorid and sulphate are those in most common use. 

 In animals which have power to vomit they are emetic in their action. 

 In others, when retained in the stomach, they set up more or less irri- 



