POISONS. 113 



Nature would not have given her this propensity to foul and putrid 

 drink if it was prejudicial to her. 



The symptoms of empoisonment vary with the plant that has been 

 devoured. In genera] the animal moans sadly, as if in dreadful pain ; 

 or a sudden stupidity comes upon it — or violent convulsions. After 

 eating tlie yew-clippings, cattle are often perfectly delirious ; and in 

 almost every case the belly more rapidly swells than it usually does 

 in hoove. 



It is plain that there can be no case in which more speedy and de- 

 cisive measures are needed; and yet very little can be done, except 

 that useful instrument, far too little known. Read's patent pump, is at 

 hand. The pipe should be introduced into the paunch, so that the 

 extricated gas which causes the swelling may escape. After this a 

 quantity of warm water should be thrown into the stomach, sufficient 

 to cause sickness, and thus get rid of a part, at least, of the offending 

 matter. Then, by introducing the pipe only a part of the way down 

 the gullet, a physic-drink may be gradually introduced, which will 

 thus pass on to the fourth stomach, and cause speedy purging. The 

 aloes and croton (No. 47, p. Ill), will be the most effectual purga- 

 tives. It will usually be advisable to bleed moderately: drinks of 

 vinegar and water, not exceeding half a pint of vinegar at a time, 

 should be administered if it is suspected that the poison is of a nar- 

 cotic kind, and the purging should be kept up by repeated small 

 doses of the aperient medicine. When the poison seems to be nearly 

 or quite evacuated, a cordial drink will be beneficial in giving tone to 

 the stomach, and the Recipe 31 (p. 79) will be as good as can be 

 given. 



Cattle are exposed too much to the influence of poisons of another 

 kind, used under the form of medicines. Corrosive sublimate and 

 tobacco-water have destroyed many a valuable ox. An antidote is in 

 these cases usually quite out of the question, for the constitution is 

 fatally affected, before the owner knows anything of the matter. 



Cattle in the neighbourhood of lead-mines have been dangerously 

 affected from the effects of this ore in the grass. Difficult respiration 

 with loud wheezing is one of the most prominent symptoms, the beast 

 losing its appetite, pining away, and at length dying of suffocation or 

 attacked by epileptic symptoms. Large doses of Epsom or Glauber's 

 salts with linseed oil, and followed by opium, are the best remedies. 

 The smoke from copper-mines has also produced sad disease amongst 

 animals in the neighbourhood : it causes swellings of the joints of a 

 painful description. An early removal to another soil forms the best 

 treatment. 



Ranking under the general term of poisons, we may mention the 

 bites of venomous reptiles. Our country fortunately knows but one 

 that is dangerous, and that is the viper, or adder ; and it is very rarely 

 that cattle suffer from its sting. The lieast is generally stung about 

 the head or feet, for it is most likely to disturb these reptiles either in 

 the act of browsing, or as it wanders over the pasture. Cattle bitten 

 10* 



