66 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



almost all of our farming establishments. White arsenic is also a prin- 

 cipal ingredient in many of the popnlar sheep dipping preparations, 

 and poisoning from this source occasionally takes place, when, after 

 dipping, the flock are allowed to run in a yard in which there is loose 

 fodder. The drippings from the wool of the sheep falling on the fod- 

 der render it poisonous, and dangerous to animal life if eaten. Famil- 

 iarity with its use has in many instances tended to breed contempt for 

 its potency as a poison. Its action is the same as that of all the solu- 

 ble chemical compounds of arsenic; it acts as a powerful irritant to 

 the stomach and intestines, setting up acute inflammation of any part 

 of the alimentary tract with which it comes in contact. 



The symptoms first appear as those of colic; the animal is restless, 

 stamping with the feet, lying down and getting up. There is tender- 

 ness on pressure over the abdomen. The acute symptoms increase; in 

 a few hours violent diarrhea is developed ; in many cases blood and 

 shreds of detached mucous membrane are mixed with the evacuations. 

 There is irregular and feeble pulse and perspiration, and death is likely 

 to supervene between the eighteenth hour and the third day. If the 

 latter period is past there is a reasonable hope of recovery. 



Treatment consists in the use of the stomach-pump. After the stom- 

 ach is completely emptied there may be a liberal administration of 

 demulcents, such as flaxseed tea, boiled starch, acacia, .etc. The 

 freshly precipitated hydrate. or dialyzed iron should be given. The 

 amount of the dose must be regulated by the urgency of the symptoms 

 and the amount of poison the animal has probably taken. The safest 

 plan is to give small doses at frequent intervals. The effect of prepa- 

 tions of iron is to entangle the poison and convert it into an insoluble 

 arsenite of iron. The hydrate may be given in ounce doses, repeated 

 every hour until relief is obtained, or until four or five doses have been 

 given. 



LEAD POISONING. 



The salts of lead, particularly sugar of lead (acetate) are irritant 

 poisons, but not of great activity. Death may result from their con- 

 tinued use, but recovery is probable, unless they are taken in very 

 large quantities. Having a somewhat salty taste, animals are likely to 

 lick old paint pots. Lead poisoning may occur from accidentally tak- 

 ing solutions of the sugar of lead or by means of water drawn from 

 lead pipes. 



Symptoms are generally dullness; lying down with the head turned 

 toward the flank; rumbling in the abdomen, loss of control of the limbs 

 when walking, twitching, champing of the jaws, moving in a circle, con- 

 vulsions, delirium, violent bellowing, followed by stupor and death. 

 The symptoms generally extend over considerable time. 



The treatment should first be directed toward removing the cause. 

 A large dose of purgative medicine should be given and the brain symp- 

 toms be relieved by giving bromide of potassium in half-ounce doses 



