500 POISOXS. 



poisonous to the horse; and so does the Bryony Root (Bryonia dioicci), 

 notwithstanding that it is frequently given to hoi'ses, in many parts of the 

 counti-y, as a great promoter of condition. Many a young horse has been 

 brought into a state of artificial condition and excitement by the use of the 

 Bryony. It is one of the abominable secrets of the horse-lareaker. This 

 state of excitation, however, soon passes away, and is succeeded by tem- 

 porary or permanent dmiinution of vital power. We have occasionally 

 traced much mischief to this infamous practice. 



Not less injurious is the /S'afUi, (Jtiiiiperus Sabina). It is werll knowTi 

 as a vermifuge in the human subject, and it is occasionally given to the 

 horse for the same purpose ; but it is a favourite >vith the carter and the 

 groom as a promoter of condition. A very great proportion of farmers' 

 servants regard it as a drug effecting some good purpose, although they 

 can scarcely define what that purpose is ; and thei'e is scarcely a country 

 stable in which it is not occasionally found, and in which the horse is not 

 endangered or perhaps destroyed by its use. It is high time that the 

 horse- master looked more carefully to this, and suffered no drug to be 

 administered to his horses and cattle, except by his direction or that of the 

 medical attendant. The farmer and the gentleman can scarcely conceive 

 to what an abominable extent this vile practice prevails. The presence of 

 savin will be best detected in the stomach of a horse that has died under 

 suspicious circumstances, by the hlacl--carrant-leaf smell of the contents 

 when boiled in a little water, or beaten in a mortar. 



Of the Mineral Poisons it Avill be necessary to mention only three. 

 Arsenic was once in great repute as a tonic and vermifuge. Large doses 

 have been given in many instances with impunity. In some cases, however, 

 the dose has proved too powerful, and the animal was destroyed. Many 

 horses and other animals have also been destroyed by the arsenical fumes 

 <>-iven off from the tin-burning houses in Cornwall and other parts. Other 

 cases are recorded in which death has resulted from its wilful administra- 

 tion, and also through the ignorance of the waggoner in mixing it with 

 the food of the animal vnth a view of giving him a sleek coat. The 

 following symptoms will generally be present in poisoning by arsenic : — 

 One of the earliest indications is a shivering fit ; there will be also loss of 

 appetite, great prostration of strength, a quick but very feeble pulse, cold 

 extremities, purging and other symptoms of abdominal irritation. The 

 post-mortem appearance, will generally indicate considerable inflammation 

 of the internal surface of the stomach ,and bowels, the lining membrane 

 being eroded in patches. The antidotes in a case of poisoning by arsenic 

 should consist in the administration of lime-water, chalk and water, or 

 soap and water in large quantities, but the best remedy if it can be 

 obtained is the hydrated peroxide of iron. Professor Morton says, ' this 

 is to be given in large quantities, newly prepared, and in the form of a 

 soft paste.' 



The followino- tests by which it may be recognised are given in Professor 

 Morton's Manual of Pharmacy : — ' Arsenic, if mixed with charcoal and 

 heated, emits a very perceptible smell of garlic. Sulphuretted hydi-ogen, 

 added to a watery solution of arsenic, throws down a yellow precipitate — 

 lime-water a white one — and the ammonio-sulphate of copper a green 

 one.' There are also two other very valuable tests in the hands of the 

 chemist, viz., by nascent hydrogen, by what is termed Marsh's apparatus, 

 a very delicate and beautiful modification of which was introduced by 

 Professor Morton a few years ago. The other, which is called Reinsch's 

 test, consists in obtaining the deposition of the arsenic on fine copper 

 gauze, and afterwards reducing it in a tube by means of heat. 



Currusioe Siihliinate is given internally, and occasionally with advantage, 



