POISONS AND POISONING. 55 



the animals falling on the fodder render it poisonous and dangerous 

 to animal life if eaten. Familiarity with its use has in many in- 

 stances tended to breed contempt for its potency as a poison. Rat 

 poisons often contain arsenic. The excessive use of arsenic as a 

 tonic, or of "condition powders" containing arsenic, has been the 

 means of poisoning many animals. This is the common poison 

 used by malicious persons with criminal intent. The poison may 

 also be absorbed through wounds or through the skin if used as a 

 dip or bath. 



If a large dose is given, at once acute poisoning is produced; if 

 repeated small doses are given, chronic poisoning may result. The 

 poisonous dose for an ox is from 3 drams to 1 ounce. 



Symqytmns. — The symptoms of acute poisoning first appear as those 

 of colic; the animal is restless, stamping with the feet, lying down 

 and getting up. There is tenderness on pressure over the abdomen. 

 The acute symptoms increase; in a few hours violent diarrhea is 

 developed ; in many cases blood and shreds of detached mucous mem- 

 brane are mixed with the evacuations. There is irregular and feeble 

 pulse and respiration, and death is likely to supervene between the 

 eighteenth hour and the third day. If the latter period is passed, 

 there is a reasonable hope of recovery. 



In chronic poisoning the symptoms are similar to those of chronic 

 gastrointestinal catarrh, with indigestion, diarrhea, and general 

 weakness and loss of condition. 



Treatment. — The antidote for arsenic is a solution of hydrated 

 oxid of iron in water. It should be prepared fresh by mixing a solu- 

 tion of sulphate of iron, made by dissolving 4 ounces of sulphate of 

 iron in one-half pint water, with a suspension of 1 ounce of magnesia 

 in one-half pint water. This quantity is sufficient for one dose for a 

 cow and may be repeated in an hour, if much arsenic was taken. A 

 solution of calcined magnesia or powdered iron or iron filings or iron 

 scale from a blacksmith's forge may be given in the absence of other 

 remedies. Powdered sulphur is of some value as an antidote. One 

 must also administer protectives, such as linseed tea, barley water 

 whites of eggs, etc. 



LEAD POISONING. 



Lead poisoning of cattle sometimes comes from their having licked 

 freshly painted surfaces and thus swallowed compounds containing 

 white lead. In several instances cattle have been poisoned by silage 

 from a silo painted inside with lead paint shortly before filling. 

 Sometimes cattle eat dried paint scrapings with apparent relish and 

 are poisoned. Cattle grazing on rifle ranges have been poisoned by 

 lead from the bullets. Sugar of lead has been administered by mis- 



