POISONING 571 



of hogs, it is not to be wondered at that we meet with numerous 

 cases of poisoning as the result of chemical irritants carried in with 

 the food. 



Poisoning from Carbolic Acid.— At the present time there are a 

 large number of stock raisers who use various forms of carbolic acid 

 preparations for dipping of animals and as antiseptic solutions in 

 washing off the skin of the animal before injection of serum, castra- 

 tion, and other similar surgical operations. Not infrequently these 

 solutions are thrown on the ground in the feed lot when the opera- 

 tion is over, and the hogs naturally wallow in, and drink from, the 

 artificial mud-puddle thus created. 



If these solutions are strong and a sufficient amount is taken 

 there may be produced symptoms of carbolic acid poisoning. The 

 principal symptoms are those of gastro-intestinal irritation, with a 

 very marked degree of depression. In most cases there is not 

 enough of the drug taken to produce very severe symptoms, the 

 most common being those of a severe diarrhea and considerable 

 muscular weakness. The urine may be dark in color and have a 

 peculiar odor. 



Treatment in the acute cases consists in emptying the stomach 

 as soon as possible with an emetic, such as apomorphin or ipecac. 

 This should be followed by the administration of very large doses 

 of magnesium sulphate or Epsom salt. The dose of the salt should 

 be large, from J to 1 pound being given to large animals. 



Poisoning from Bichlorid of Mercury. — This drug is also in 

 common use among stockmen and veterinarians as an antiseptic 

 and germicide. In the same manner as in the case of the carbolic 

 acid solutions this agent may be scattered about on the ground, 

 where it will produce poisoning if taken into the stomach of the 

 animals in the feed lot. 



Symptoms of bichlorid of mercury poisoning are most pro- 

 nounced in the stomach and bowels. The animal is usually nause- 

 ated, vomits, has a severe diarrhea, and shows considerable mus- 

 cular weakness and abdominal pain. 



Treatment consists in the use again of a prompt emetic, such as 

 apomorphin or ipecac. When the stomach has been emptied, some 

 soothing agent should be given — white of egg being the best agent to 

 €heck the action of the drug on the stomach. The agents of choice 



