196 EXPEEIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



does not follow shortly after the full development of the symp- 

 toms of purgation, j^aresis, abdominal j^ain, etc., a favorable 

 prognosis may be given. 



Treatment. — In these experiments no attempts were made 

 to discover new means of treatment, or to try those already used, 

 to overcome the poisonous effects of either lead or arsenic. The 

 appearance of the symj)toms of both lead and arsenic poisoning 

 would indicate the use of a combination of the antidotes ordi- 

 narily employed in the treatment of arsenic and lead poisoning 

 cases, together with such means as would tend toward pre- 

 vention. For the latter, the discovery and removal of the source 

 of the compound is all that is necessary. In the treatment of 

 animals in which the sjanptoms are urgent, indicating acute 

 poisoning, administration of those things that afford mechanical 

 protection to the mucous membranes is indicated, such as mix- 

 tures composed of wheat flour, linseed meal, slippery elm, milk, 

 eggs, etc. To render the unabsorbed lead or arsenic contained 

 in the stomach insoluble or inert, sulfate of magnesia, sodium 

 sulphide or flowers of sulphur may be given to act upon the lead, 

 and peroxide of iron, dialized iron or hydrated magnesia to act 

 ui^on the arsenic. Little can be done to counteract the action of 

 the lead or arsenic that has already become absorbed into the 

 blood. The poisonous effects of that absorbed are to be counter- 

 acted by general treatment having a tendency to prevent heart 

 failure, etc. The hypodermic administration of atropine and 

 nitroglycerine may be employed. To hasten the elimination of 

 the poisons from the system, saline purgatives in small doses 

 and mild diuretics should be used. In those cases of chronic 

 poisoning, where lead has accumulated in the tissues, the admin- 

 istration of iodide of potassium in small, frequently repeated 

 doses favors the elimination of it with the bile and urine. The 

 paroxysms of colic should be relieved by hypodermic adminis- 

 tration of morphia or the oral administration of chloral. 



Liability of Poisoning. — Having demonstrated the possi- 

 bilities of producing poisoning in cattle by giving arsenate of 

 lead, the question naturally arises as to the probabilities of its 

 happening in localities where this substance is used in liberal 

 quantities as an insecticide. Manufacturers of arsenate of lead 

 and entomologists recommend using about 3 pounds to 100 gal- 



