164 INORGANIC AGENTS 



single large doses of soluble lead salts, and is characterized 

 by gastro-enteritis, colic, sometimes convulsions, coma, 

 paralysis and death. The faeces are colored black with lead 

 sulphide ; the vomitus is white from lead chloride. Three 

 groups of symptoms may be briefly tabulated, which occur 

 to a greater or less degree in chronic lead poisoning : 



DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS. 



Lead line on gums. Thirst. 



Colic. Abdomen retracted, or "tucked 



Constipation. up." 



Anorexia. * 



NERVOUS SYMPTOMS. 



Paralysis of tendons — extensors— General paralysis. 



of extremities. Wasting of muscles. 



Animals stand on knees before. Coma. 



Animals stand on toes behind. Delirium. 



Convulsions. Amaurosis. 



GENERAL SYMPTOMS. 



Dyspnoea. CEdema. 



Pulse accelerated. . General debility. 



Emaciation. Interstitial nephritis. 



Anaemia. 



Animals die in chronic poisoning from paralysis of the 

 respiratory muscles, or in convulsions. The lead line on the 

 margin of the gums, at their junction with the teeth, is due 

 to sulphuretted hydrogen in the mouth, acting upon the 

 lead deposited in the gums, and forming lead sulphide. 

 The treatment consists in removing the cause, relieving the 

 symptoms and in hastening elimination. Potassium iodide 

 eliminates lead in a soluble form into the bowels and 

 kidneys. Magnesium sulphate converts lead into an insolu- 

 ble sulphate in the intestines and then sweeps out the salt. 

 The stomach pump or emetics should be employed in acute 

 poisoning. Alum is the best emetic. This treatment should 

 be followed by the administration of opium and Epsom salts. 



Administration. — Lead acetate is given to the larger 

 animals in solution or ball ; to the smaller patients in pill ; 

 to young animals in solution in milk. 



