MINERAL POISONS. 185 



with some probability, throw in the way of the animals themselves. 

 Those who wish for further information relative to the effects pro- 

 duced on dogs by various poisonous agents, may consult Abbe 

 Fontana, Orfila, Mr. Brodie, &c. &c., who have sacrificed more 

 dogs in experimental inquiry than humanity dares to think of, 

 though science might demand it. 



Mineral Poisons. 



Corrosive sublimate, or oxymuriate of quicksilver, is a most 

 deadly and unmanageable poison to dogs, in doses as small even 

 as five or six grains. Its effects are observed soon after it is taken, 

 by the distress of the animal, by his frequent retchings, insatiable 

 thirst, panting, and anxiety for a cool situation. The mouth be- 

 comes swollen ; if the dose has been large, it appears ulcerated 

 also, and emits a very foetid odour, which circumstance forms a 

 very strong characteristic both with regard to the animal's having 

 been poisoned, and also to the article employed for the purpose. 

 As the symptoms advance, the retchings are tinged with blood ; 

 the stools become liquid and bloody also ; the heart beats faintly, 

 but with rapidity: the extremities become cold; violent trembhngs, 

 paralysis, or convulsions follow, and death relieves the sufferer. 

 On examination of the body afterwards, the whole alimentary 

 canal, beginning at the mouth and proceeding backw^ards, exhibits 

 marks of the corrosive nature of the matter taken. The stomach, 

 on being opened, will appear covered with highly inflamed patches, 

 and the villous folds of its inner and rugose surface will present 

 gangrenous and ulcerated spots, and a ready separation of the 

 mucous from the muscular coat, with blood often suffused between 

 them; which circumstances only take place when a most acrid 

 poison has been swallowed. The intestines also shew appearances 

 of great inflammation, particularly of their inner surface, which 

 will be found sprinkled with gangrenous specks, and, moreover, 

 frequently filled with a thick bloody mucus. Such are the usual 

 morbid appearances : but, satisfactorily to detect the presence of 

 a poison, and the immediate nature of it, some of the liquid con- 



