TOXICOLOGY. 367 



plant is not often eaten by horses ; but brood mares, with 

 appetites vitiated by their being in foal, have been poisoned 

 by eating it. 



As antidotes, vinegar and gruel are recommended. 



EUPHORBIUM. 



Euphorbium, or spurge, is one of the ingredients in the 

 farrier's blisters, and has caused many deaths from the 

 great irritation which it has set up. 



CANTHARIDES. 



Cantharides, or the Spanish fly, is sometimes administered 

 as an excitant to the horse and mare at the breeding season, 

 and, owing to the large amount given, has been the cause of 

 many deaths. 



It is said that a drachm, and, indeed, sometimes a much 

 less amount, will kill almost any horse. 



The drug, which is a purely irritant poison, is admi- 

 nistered in the pulverized condition in the form of a ball, 

 or as the tincture. 



When given as a ball, some portions of the fly may often 

 be detected as little glittering particles which are apparent 

 on the sides of the faeces in hot water. 



In cases where cantharides has been inadvertently or 

 wilfully administered in too large doses, oily and demulcent 

 liquids may be given in large quantities. 



