NARCOTIC POISONS 



63 



horses are fed, are not acceptable to home-bred animals until the taste is 

 acquired, but horses imported from the United States and Canada eat it 

 and thrive upon it. The presence of a large portion of Starwort (Stella/rio, 

 Holostea) (fig. 462) in imported hay has been said to occasion poisoning in 

 a number of cases of horses fed upon it. 



Symptoms. There is much resemblance in the symptoms of poison- 

 ing arising out of deleterious legumes or 

 grasses, the commonest being staggering 

 or want of co-ordination of the muscles, 

 particularly of the hind-limbs, weakness 

 amounting to prostration, swelling of the 

 lower portions of the limbs, fever, redness 

 of the membranes, sweating, and an 

 inability to walk straight or endure any 

 exertion. 



Treatment. Beyond change of diet 

 there is little to be done in these cases, as 

 we have to deal with an unknown quan- 

 tity and can only attempt the amelioration 

 of symptoms. It is good practice to give 

 a mild aperient, with the object of getting 

 rid of the offensive matter contained in 

 the alimentary canal, and to follow it up 

 with stimulants and tonics. In this con- 

 nection nux vomica is especially indicated 

 when inco-ordination persists after appetite 

 returns and febrile symptoms have dis- 

 appeared. 



In these cases the hay in use should 



be subjected to the closest scrutiny in order to determine, if possible, the 

 actual ingredient giving rise to the trouble. 



ACONITE POISONING 



Preparations of the plant Aconitum Napellus, or Monkshood, are much 

 used in veterinary medicine, both internally and for outward application, 

 and mistakes occur now and again in consequence of an overdose being 

 given, or a liniment intended for external application is administered in 

 mistake for a draught, with fatal consequences to the patient. The plant 

 grows freely in wayside gardens, and has produced poisonous effects on 

 horses nibbling the leaves and flowers even in small quantity. 



Fig. 462. Starwort (Stellaria Holostea) 



