256 Poisons. 



breath as well as the secretions of the skin are highly 

 offensive. Poisoning by lead^ or plumbism^ is denoted by 

 general failure of function in the digestive apparatus, a 

 blue line forming along the gums, vomition, colic, vertigo, 

 with gradual paralysis and death. Acute poisoning by 

 copper resembles that of violent irritants generally, as 

 already detailed ; the Chronic form greatly resembles that 

 of slow arsenical poisoning, as impaired appetite, consti- 

 pation, imperfect nutrition, weakness, and occasionally 

 bloody urine. In this class of poisons carbolic acid must 

 be included. Few remedies in medicines have had a 

 greater responsibility as a toxic agent than this, especially 

 in dogs and cats. Whether used externally, internally, 

 or hcked by the animal, it produces severe and immediate 

 depression, weakness of the heart, with ultimate paralysis 

 of the organ, convulsions and speedy death. In our 

 experience dogs have sim.ply laid down, become quite 

 listless, breathing slowly, with evident oppression, and 

 died in unconsciousness, when the medicine has been 

 largely applied to wounded surfaces. Whatever may be 

 its vaunted virtues as a sanative dressing in other animals, 

 the serious drawback to employment in the same direction 

 among canine and feline animals is that its general effects 

 are those of a powerful poison. 



In case of absorption of the remedy sufficient to produce 

 poisoning, Broad, of Bath, recommends the continued 

 application of cold water as a spray, or by means of the 

 rose on a watering-pot, until convulsions cease. The 

 animal should also be thoroughly cleansed by means of 

 cold water and hard soap, or the whole of the skin may 

 be well rubbed with oil. The animal should receive 

 stimulants internally. 



In Vegetable Poisofiing the symptoms are mainly dif- 

 ferent to those induced by the metallic salts. Strychnine, 

 is perhaps the most common of dangerous drugs, and 

 being recognised as one of the most fatal, is ignorantly 

 selected by the wilful poisoner. Death sometimes arises 

 from overdoses or long continuance of the drug. Dogs 

 are specially susceptible of its effects, the symptoms 

 being severe tetanic convulsions^ rigidity, and straighten- 



