DISEASES OF CATTLE 395 



are those of congestion of the brain. The visible membranes have a 

 blueish tint (cyanotic) from interference with the air supply. The 

 breathing is slow, labored, and later noisy ; the pupils of the eyes are 

 very much contracted ; the skin dry and warm. Gas accumulates in 

 the stomach, so that tympanites is a prominent symptom. The pa- 

 tient may be aroused by great noise or the infliction of sharp pain, 

 when the breathing becomes more natural. A relapse into the coma- 

 tose condition takes place when the excitement ceases. Later, there 

 is perfect coma and the patient can no longer be aroused from the 

 insensible condition. The contraction of the pupil becomes more 

 marked, the breathing intermittent and slower, there is perspiration, 

 the pulse more feeble and rapid, till death takes place. Poisoning of 

 cattle with opium or its products rarely goes beyond the stage of 

 excitement, because the quantity of the drug required for the later 

 effects is so great. Seventy-five grains of morphia administered sub- 

 cutaneously has sufficed merely to excite for twelve hours. 



As an antidote give strong coffee, to 4 quarts, aromatic spirits of 

 ammonia or carbonate of ammonia. Atropia is the physiological 

 antidote. 



Strychnine Poisoning. Strychnine is a very concentrated 

 poison and produces its effect very quickly, usually only a few min- 

 utes being necessary if given in sufficient dose and in such a way that 

 it will be at once absorbed. The first noticeable symptom is evidence 

 of unrest or mental excitement, at the same time the muscles over 

 the shoulder and croup may be seen to quiver or twitch and later there 

 occurs a more or less well-marked convulsion; the head is jerked 

 back, the back arched and legs extended, the eyes drawn. The spasm 

 continues for only a few minutes, when it relaxes and another occurs 

 in a short time. The return is hastened by excitement and in a short 

 time again disappears, continuing to disappear and reappear until 

 death results. As the poisonous effect advances the intervals between 

 the spasms become shorter and less marked and the spasms more se- 

 vere until the animal dies in violent struggles. 



The best method of treatment is to put the patient under the in- 

 fluence of chloral, chloroform, or ether, and keep it there continu- 

 ously until the effect of the poison has passed off. Alcohol may be 

 given in large doses. 



Aconite Poisoning. In recent years tincture of aconite has for 

 some unknown reason become a popular stable remedy. In the hands 

 of some breeders it seems to be used as a panacea for all the ills flesh 

 is heir to. If an animal is ailing, aconite is given whether indicated 

 or not. Fortunately the dose used is generally small, and for this rea- 

 son the damage done is much less than it would otherwise be. Aconite 

 is one of the most deadly poisons known. It produces paralysis of 

 motion and sensation, depresses the hea.rt's action, and causes death 

 by paralysis of respiration. In large doses it causes profuse saliva- 

 tion, champing of the jaws, and attempts at swallowing. If not suf- 

 ficient to cause death, there is impaired appetite with more or less 

 nausea for some time after. In poisonous doses it causes the animal 

 to tremble violently, to lose power to support itself, and it brings on 



