io8 



splinters of bullets, which are scattered about near rifle targets. In the pure 

 metallic form lead appears to be devoid of poisonous properties, and it is well 

 known that in the form of shot it is used by dealers of questionable principles 

 to alleviate the symptoms of broken wind in horses they have for sale. 



In some instances, lead poisoning has been due to boiling food in vessels 

 used for containing lead preparations. It is known also that lead may be 

 .absorbed by water conducted through pipes of this metal, and this is more 

 especially likely to be the case when the water is highly oxygenated, or 

 -contains organic matter or certain gases. Lead poisoning in horses may be 

 Jicute, when it is spoken of as saturnine epilepsy, a disease in which stupor, 

 delirium, or convulsions are manifested, or it may be chronic. 



HELLEBORE POISONING. 



Hellebore poisoning was some years ago very common, this drug forming 

 one of the most common ingredients of the powders and balls of stablemen 

 and quacks. Even now, cases of poisoning by this dangerous drug are not 

 rare. It is supposed by grooms to have a valuable alterative effect, but the 

 idea is a mistake. In a case recently under our notice, two drachms of the 

 powdered hellebore root were given by the groom to a carriage horse. 

 When called in to see this animal, the writer found the head protruded. The 

 pulse was much accelerated, and varied from 90 to 100 beats per minute, the 

 respirations were much quickened, the extremities were deathly cold, and 

 there were marked nausea, and frequent attempts at vomiting. The appetite 

 was completely lost for forty-eight hours, after which it gradually returned, 

 and the animal made a slow but complete recovery. 



The late Mr. D. Gressvvell saw a large number of cases of hellebore 

 poisoning at different times, and in some, actual vomiting took place. This 

 occurrence, as is well known, is rare in the horse. Hellebore poisoning is 

 frequently mistaken for choking by the uninitiated; but the history of the 

 case — when that is to be obtained — and the character of the pulse will at 

 once distinguish it from this accident. 



On ]\Iarch 6th, 1886, we were asked to see a heavy draught-horse said 

 to be choking. The symptoms observed by the owner had supervened 

 three hours after the administration of a ball containing a large quantity of 

 hellebore (Veratrum album). It is almost needless to add that on our 

 .arrival, nothing whatever was told us concerning the ball which had been 

 given for the purpose of curing the grease, from which the animal was 

 suffering. This information was elicited by close cross-questioning. In this 

 way it was discovered that the balls had been procured from a chemist. The 

 animal was retching continually, but there was no actual vomition. The 

 pulse was very irregular and feeble, and numbered eighty-six beats in the 

 minute. The respirations were sixty-eight. The symptoms had gradually 

 been becoming more severe, until when death seemed imminent, help was 

 sought. Three ounces of whiskey, together with three ounces of solution of 

 carbonate of ammonium, were ordered to be given e\ er)- hour for six times, 



