92 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



As a general rule for distinguishing between the evidence of poisoning and | 

 the symptoms of disease, the suddenness of the attack must weigh largely; while i 

 by tracing where the dog has been, and what he has or is likely to have picked ' 

 up, a pretty accurate conclusion may be arrived at. 



The first step to be taken in most cases is to freely empty the stomach by I 

 means of emetics such as tartar emetic, sulphate of zinc, ipecacuanha wine, one j 

 of the most useful and least dangerous to use. The dose is from 3 drams to 8 ; 

 drams in a little warm water. If none of these are at hand, by drenching with , 

 lukewarm water, and afterwards giving the antidotes indicated if procurable. 



If the dog suffer much pain, a dose of opium or laudanum every three or four j 

 hours. Where great depression and weakness follow, stimulants, as ether, wine, 

 or brandy, should be given in small quantities at frequent intervals. 



Arsenic is used to poison rats, mice and other vermin; in this way it is; 

 frequently met with in and about country houses. 



Symptoms: Great heat and evident pain in the stomach and bowels, some-| 

 times accompanied with swelling the belly being very tender to the touch \ 

 great thirst, frequent vomiting and retching, more or less discharge of a frothy 

 saliva, and frequent evacuations of fluid, dark colored matter, often marked 

 with blood. The animal soon loses muscular power to a great extent, showing 

 an indisposition to move; the tongue, lips, etc., are red and swollen, and the 

 breathing ie more and more labored and painful. 



Antidotes: Ferrugo or hydrated sesquioxide of iron, 12 parts of which com- 

 bine with 1 part of arsenic, forming an insoluble compound; also light magnesia, 

 which will remove l-25th its weight of arsenic from its solution in water. 



CANTHARIDES (Spanish Fly), This is given by ignorant men for purposes 

 which are defeated; but, being an acrid, irritant poison, it produces serious 

 results, frequently causing inflammation of the urinary organs. 



Symptoms: Violent thirst, copious discharge of bloody mucous from the 

 stomach, mixed with which may be seen the shiny green particles of the "flies; 

 there are great pains in the loins and bowels, swelling and inflammation of the 

 genital organs, and bloody stools and urine. 



Antidotes: An emetic should at once be resorted to, the dog should after- 

 wards be drenched with demulcents, and a dose of opium given every three or 

 four hours. 



Carbolic Acid. This produces baneful effects, even by absorption through 

 the pores of the skin, when too freely used. It causes great prostration, with 

 trembling of the whole frame. 



Symptoms: Extraordinary depression of the vital powers, general shivering 

 and almost constant trembling of the limbs, and a palsied motion of the head. 

 Bleeding at the nose is a frequent symptom, and the discharges from the bowels 

 are also often stained with blood; the countenance of the sufferer is expressive 

 of a most helpless and painful state. 



Antidotes: The proper treatment consists in placing the dog in a warm bath, 

 using friction the while, and administering such stimulants as ammonia, ether, 

 brandy, etc., in water or gruel. 



Corrosive Sublimate is used for a variety of purposes about farms, although 

 for most of these it must be admitted a nonpoisonous article would answer as 

 well or better. Corrosive sublimate, phosphorous and strychnine each enters intc 

 the composition of paste and powders largely sold for the destruction of vermin 



