much less severe, than those above described. One of the anmials died, but 

 the remaining three made a gradual reco\ er)-, and were soon again at work. 

 It was ascertained in these instances that the drug had been given in the 

 form of the ordinary white arsenic. The waggoner had for some time 

 previously given to each of his horses every night, as mu :h as he could place 

 on the end of a large pocket knife. On the night when the horses were so 

 suddenly affected, he had gi\en an extra dose to each, three or four hours 

 iprevious to the appearance of the symptoms of ])oisoning. Several months 

 .afterwards, we took the opportunity of examining two of the horses which 

 had recovered. Both were found to ha\ e diseased hearts, and the foreman 

 informed us that they never regained their previous strength. 



That arsenic when given in solution acts much more rapidly and 

 powerfully, is shown b)- the following record of nine cases of poisoning, 

 which occurred in the late Mr. 1). Ciresswell's practice some \-ears ago. One 

 ^i^( the v.aggoners on a large farm ha\ing obtained a pound and a half of 

 white arsenic, stirred it in a tub of boiled linseed gruel. This was served 

 out equally to nine horses, on their return from work, at two o'clock in the 

 afternoon. \'ery shortly afterwards the horses manifested considerable 

 uneasiness, and eight of them died very quickly, while the ninth recovered 

 under very careful treatment and management. 



We might record many other cases, but the abo\e will suffice to illustrate 

 the baneful effects of arsenic. Before closing our remarks on the subject, we 

 must say a few words concerning chronic arsenical poisoning. At the present 

 time, this form of poisoning is of much more frequent occurrence than the 

 acute form; and although sometimes the horse may escape any outward signs 

 of indisposition from the occasional administration of small overdoses of 

 white arsenic, )'et the practice of administering this drug by attendants, is to 

 be deprecated from every point of view, as it not unfrequently totally 

 incapacitates the animal from any prolonged exertion. In Februaiy, last 

 year, w^e were called to see a valuable se\"en-year-old hunter, belonging to a 

 gentleman residing on the Lincolnshire wolds. The horse had an excellent 

 appetite, but was in poor condition. The pulse was fairly strong, but 

 irregular, losing a beat eveiy now and again. The breathing was somewhat 

 accelerated. We were informed that when galloped even for a short distance 

 the horse breathed laboriously, and could only with difficulty be induced to 

 go beyond a slow trot. It was ascertained that for many months previously, 

 the late groom had given to the horse small doses of arsenic at regular 

 intervals. The untoward symptoms were attributable to this practice, as the 

 liorse had always enjoyed perfect health pre\ iousl)-, and made much improve- 

 m-jnt after the groom left. 



Arsenic should not be given unless for some definite object, and, when 

 necessary, is best administered in the form of Fowler's solution, of which the 

 •dose is half an ounce in the drinking water after meals. Arsenic has a 

 special action on the skin, and is very useful in many forms of skin diseases 

 in horses and other animals. It is mainly given by attendants to make the 

 i:oat more glossy and smooth, and it is a common ingredient in the alterati^•e 



