Treatment of Poisoning, 485 



may be dull and sleepy, but are more often of the mad variety, the ani- 

 mal running violently and blindly, dashing his head right and left, and 

 wearing himself out in desperate and aimless courses. As a rule there 

 are entire loss of appetite, and obstinate constipation. According to 

 some the gums are of a gray or blue color, owing to a deposit of lead 

 under the membrane. 



The treatment should be a large dose of a purgative, in cattle and 

 sheep either Epsom or Glauber salts, aided by a large, stimulating injec- 

 tion in the rectum. When this has well acted, an ounce or two of 

 iodide of potash, every day, for a week, will counteract the effect of the 

 lead yet in the system. 



Mercury. — ^Q have already spoken of the corrosive chloride of 

 mercury under Corrosive Sublimate. Calomel may also be given with 

 poisonous effects, esjDecially if it is frequently repeated. The animal is 

 salivated, and a diarrhea sets in which cannot be checked, and the 

 creature dies, from prostration and low fever. Blue ointment, un- 

 guentum, or mercurial ointment, is in some sections very much used for 

 scab, and to destroy lice and ticks. Many thousands of sheep have 

 been destroyed, or seriously injured by this dangerous and needless 

 remedy. Death often occurs about the eighth or ninth day after the 

 ointment has been applied. The symptoms are of suffocation and con- 

 gestion of the lungs, sometimes with salivation, loosening of the teeth, 

 loss of appetite, and diarrhea. The treatment of such a condition is 

 the preventive one of using some innocent insecticide, a number of 

 which we have given in the appropriate place. 



Strychnine. — This potent and rapid poison is also a valuable 

 medicine, but must be administered cautiously. Ten grains are more 

 than enough to kill a horse. The symptoms produced are : violent agi- 

 tation and trembling ; stiffness and jerking of the limbs ; violent general 

 spasms, the limbs rigid, the back bent, the respiration checked; inter- 

 vals of rest occur, but a slight noise, or touching the animal, will excite 

 the fits again. Paroxysm follows paroxysm until the animal dies 

 exhausted. In the treatment, little can be done besides following out 

 the general rules given on p. 427 and keeping the animal in a darkened 

 and roomy box stall, and perfectly quiet. 



Tartar Emetic. — ^^w remedies have been more recklessly ad- 

 miuistered in veterinary pharmacy than this one, and, doubtless, vastly 

 more harm than good has come of it. It is actually poisonous. Two to 

 four ounces will kill a horse, though cattle can sustain twice as much. 

 The symptoms of poisoning are, vomiting, diarrhea, staggers, thirst, 



