POISONS AND POISONING. 65 



unless an enormous dose has been given. If the dose is large enough, 

 a second stage sometimes supervenes, in which the symptoms are 

 those of congestion of the brain. The visible membranes have a blu- 

 ish tint (cyanotic) from interference with the air supply. The 

 breathing is slow, labored, and later stertorous; the pupils of the eyes 

 are very much contracted ; the skin dry and warm. Gas accumulates 

 in the stomach, so that tympanites is a prominent symptom. The 

 patient may be aroused by great noise or the infliction of sharp pain, 

 Avhen the breathing becomes more natural. A relapse into the coma- 

 tose condition takes place when the excitement ceases. Later, there 

 is perfect coma and the patient can no longer be aroused from the 

 insensible condition. The contraction of the pupil becomes more 

 marked, the breathing intermittent and slower, there is perspiration, 

 the pulse more feeble and rapid, till death takes place. Poisoning of 

 cattle with opium or its products rarely goes beyond the stage of 

 excitement, because the quantity of the drug required for the later 

 effects is so great. Seventy-five grains of morphia administered sub- 

 ( utaneously has sufficed merely to excite for 12 hours. 



Treatment. — Give strong coffee, 1 to 4 quarts, aromatic ^pirits of 

 ammonia or carbonate of ammonia. Atropia is the physiological 

 antidote. 



STRYCHNIN POISONING. 



Strychnin is a very concentrated poison and produces its effect 

 very quickly, usually only a few minutes being necessary if given in 

 sufficient dose and in such a way that it will be at once absorbed. 

 The first noticeable symptom is evidence of unrest or mental excite- 

 ment ; at the same time the muscles over the shoulder and croup may 

 be seen to quiver or twitch, and later there occurs a more or less well- 

 marked convulsion; the head is jerked back, the back arched and 

 leg extended, the eyes drawn. The spasm continues for only a few 

 minutes, when it relaxes and another occurs in a short time. The 

 return is hastened by excitement and in a short time again disap- 

 pears, continuing to disappear and reappear until death results. As 

 the poisonous effect advances the intervals between the spasms be- 

 come shorter and less marked and the spasms more severe until the 

 animal dies in violent struggles. 



Treatment. — The best method is to put the patient under the influ- 

 ence of chloral, chloroform, or ether, and keep it there continuously 

 until the effect of the poison has passed off. Alcohol may be given 

 in large doses. 



ACONITE POISONING. 



In recent years tincture of aconite has for some unknown reason 

 become a popular stable remedy. In the hands of some breeders it 

 seems to be used as a panacea for all the ills flesh is heir to. If an 

 16023°— 12 5 



