POISONS, POISONOUS SNAKES AND INSECTS, ETC. 387 



given as an excitement to the horse and mare, and many a 

 valuable life is lost by the abominable practice." This we 

 indorse, and will go so much further as to say that the scamp 

 who would be guilty of such a procedure ought to be sent 

 to the penitentiar3^ Strangely enough, this usually excel- 

 lent and judicious veterinarian sitU prescribes the use of 

 cantharides in small doses. We must express our astonish- 

 ment that any respectable authority should recommend it in 

 any case; and our advice to the farmer is, have nothing to 

 do with it, nor with the ignorant fellow who would bid you 

 give it so much as a trial. As a blister, the corrosive lini- 

 ment will accomplish all that cantharides can, and is prefer- 

 able 'in every way. 



The symptoms of poison from this source are a hot breath, 

 a rapid and irregular pulse, and colicky pains. Crampings, 

 convulsions, and death complete the series. 



In regard to an antidote, it is difficult to prescribe. If 

 your folly has been so great as to lead you to give your horse 

 such abominable poison, you will probably have the poor sat- 

 isfaction of seeing him die from its effects, and the consola- 

 tion of knowing that this is work of your own doing. A 

 pint of castor oil, to act upon the bowels as soon as possi- 

 ble ; six fresh eggs, at the same time, to hold the poison in 

 check ; and then a vigorous use of the warm soap-suds clys- 

 ter, comprise all that can be done, except tonnake up the 

 mind never to be caught in the like folly again. 



Copperas, or Sulphate of Iron. — This is another substance- 

 sometimes given the horse as a promoter of condition that 

 is really very detrimental. It is highly injurious to both the 

 stomach and the teeth, and should be thrown aside entirely 

 in treating the diseases of the horse. 



In general terms, the sulphates, acetates, and nitrates of 

 copper, lead, silver, and zinc are poisonous to the horse — 

 sufficiently so, at least, to condemn their administration as 

 internal remedies, although many of them may be used with 

 decided benefit in the forms of liniments and washes. There 



"im 





