POISONS AND POISONING. 53 



herd of animals equally exposed injurious or fatal effects do not 

 appear with uniformity. For example, among cattle that are com- 

 pelled to drink water holding in solution a salt of lead the effects of 

 the poisoning will be found varying all the way from fatality to 

 imperceptibility. 



GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF POISONING. 



It is not always easy to differentiate between poisoning and some 

 disease. Indeed, examination during the life of the animal is some- 

 times wholly inadequate to the formation of an opinion as to whether 

 the case is one of poisoning or, if it is, as to what the poison may be. 

 A chemical and physical examination after the death of the animal 

 may be necessary to clear up the doubt. On the other hand, the 

 symptoms may be of such a nature as to point unmistakably to poi- 

 soning with a certain agent. In general, the following classes of 

 symptoms may be regarded as indicative of poisoning : Sudden onset 

 of the disease without visible cause, a number of animals being simi- 

 larly affected at once, with severe gastrointestinal disorder or de- 

 rangement of the nervous system, or both ; sudden alteration of heart 

 action in relation to frequency, force, or rhythm; local irritation, 

 dyspnea, or change in the urine or urination. 



After death, lesions of the greatest variety may be found, and it is 

 necessary for one to be skilled in anatomy and pathology in order 

 to determine their significance. Oftentimes the stomach and intes- 

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

 scAere irritant, such as arsenic or corrosive sublimate. Other altera- 

 tions sometimes found are inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, 

 points of hemorrhage in various organs, changes in the blood, con- 

 gestion of the lungs, and certain microscopic changes. 



GENERAL TREATMENT. 



The treatment of animals suffering from poison must vary accord- 

 ing to tlie 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 

 nonirritating purge. Castor oil in doses of 1 pint to 2 quarts is 

 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. When poisons are somewhat prolonged in 

 their effect, Epsom salt in doses of 1 pound can be given advantage- 



