72 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



stings. This poison is a severe local irritant and may even cause 

 local gangrene. It also has a depressing effect upon the central 

 nervous system and destroys the red-blood corpuscles. To produce 

 these general effects it must be introduced in very large quantities, as 

 when an animal is stung by a swarm of bees or wasps. 



Treatment. — The treatment is to wash the parts with diluted am- 

 monia or permanganate of potassium solution and to give stimulants 

 mternalh^ If there is so much swelling about the head and nostrils 

 as to interfere with breathing, tracheotomy may be necessary. 



POISONING WITH SPANISH FLY. 



Spanish fly, in the form of powdered cantharides, may be given in 

 an overdose, or when applied as a blister to too large a surface of 

 skin enough may be absorbed to poison. If given by the mouth, it 

 causes severe irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, shown by saliva- 

 tion, sore throat, colic, blood}^ diarrhea, etc. It also produces, whether 

 given by the mouth or absorbed through the skin, irritation of the 

 urinary tract, as shown by frequent and painful urination. If death 

 results, it is due to respiratory paralysis. 



Treatment. — Give protectives and the white of egg, with opium. 

 Do not give oils or alcohol. 



