2 54 Poisons. 



CHAPTER XX. 



POISONS. 



Empirical Poisoning— Accidental Poisoning— Wilful and Malicious Poisoning- 

 Symptoms of Poisoning — Treatment— Mineral Poisons — Vegetable Poison- 

 ing-Animal Poisons — Snake, or Viper Bite — Wasps, Hornets, and Bees — 

 Destruction of Dogs. 



The death of animals by poisoning arises in three 

 ways : 



In Empirical Practice many persons make use of 

 remedies the nature and action of which they know 

 little or nothing ; they also continue the use of a remedy 

 without being able to perceive that it is unsuitable, or 

 probably dangerous. In this way an ordinary medicine 

 acts with the virulence of a poison. 



Accidental Poisoning takes place in a variety of ways, 

 chiefly through the absolute carelessness on the part of 

 those who have the custody of remedies. They are 

 sometimes carelessly left within reach of the animal, or 

 become mixed with the food; and preparations for 

 external use may be given internally. Vermin poisons 

 reach the meal-tub or the feeding-trough ; large doses 

 of medicines are also given too frequently; thus, the 

 remedy which might have effected a cure proves a 

 deadly poison. 



Wilful and Malicious Poisonings happily, is not 

 frequent. Yet one hears now and again of a favourite 

 pet, or the first animal of a special strain, having won 

 high honours, is found dead or dying at the time, or 

 before, he reaches his home. Such acts characterise 

 fiends and fools who fail to see that others read them 

 accurately by their daily lives, which have a full renown 

 for many similar accomplishments. 



The Symptoms of Poisonings as a rule, are quickly 



