112 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



Therapeutics. — Emetics and iron preparations, the hydrated ses- 

 quioxide of iron every quarter of an hour, carbonate of magnesia, a 

 teaspoonful every twenty minutes, followed by alcoholic stimulants. 

 The stomach pump can be used, if there is not prompt emesis. 



Poisoning by Hydrocyanic Acid; Prussic Acid. — This is generally 

 given intentional}}', in the foi'm of cyanide of potassium, rarely the pure 

 acid. There is an odor of bitter almonds on the breath. The symp- 

 toms are vomiting, yelping cries, dyspnoea, convulsions of the legs, and 

 death in a short time. If the dose should be small, there is restlessness, 

 fear, dyspnoea, dilated pupils, convulsions of the extremities, fall in tem- 

 perature until it is subnormal, marked slowness of the respirations and 

 pulse, cyanosis and unconsciousness. 



Therapeutics. — Emetics, artificial respiration (rhythmic pressure 

 of the lower abdominal walls, bathing in cold water, stimulants, chlo- 

 rine water, and subcutaneous injections of atropia. 



Poisoning by Carbolic Acid. — This is quite frequently observed 

 and is caused by the animal licking external preparations which con- 

 tain the drug; this is frequently seen as a result of the use of some of the 

 various preparations sold under the name of creolin, which are nothing 

 more than crude carbolic acid, or some coal tar by-product, and 

 the animal is bathed frequently in a strong solution of it. It may 

 also be caused by the animal licking a wound or the wound absorbing 

 carbolic acid, tar or creosote which has been applied as a dressing. It 

 may also he absorbed following the injection of strong solutions of carbolic 

 acid into the uterus. The urine is dark in color, frequently a dark olive 

 green, there is slight colic, pain on pressure of the abdomen, vomiting, 

 diarrhoea, great inflammation and redness of the mouth, marked weakness, 

 decrease in the temperature, twitching of the muscles, paralysis, con- 

 vulsions and collapse. 



Treatment. — White of egg, glaubcr salts, and stimulants. 



Poisoning by Iodoform. — This may be caused by licking wounds 

 dressed with the drug and also from the injections into cysts of too 

 strong solutions. In very large doses we find great gastric disturbance, 

 small, frequent pulse, decrease in the internal temperature, suppression 

 of urine, albuminuria, dulncss, and convulsions, alternated with great 

 excitement and finally collapse. In smaller doses we find catarrh of 

 the mucous membranes, emaciation, and skin eruptions. 



Therapeutics. — In the acute form give emetics followed by carbonate 

 of potash, large quantities of starch, subcutaneous injections of atropia. 

 In the milder forms saline laxatives, tonics and, of course, immediately 

 remove the cause. 



Poisoning by Phosphorus. — This may be caused by the animal eating 

 some of the various roach or bug poisons that have been spread on bread 



