223 



eliminated from these organs, causlno- it to aeeumulale in the system 

 and give rise to urajmic poisoning, 



SymiJtoms. — Urtemic i^oisoning is usually preeeded by dropsy of the 

 limbs or abdomen; a peculiar fetid breath is often noticed; then 

 drowsiness, attacks of diarrhea, and general debility ensue. Sud- 

 denly extreme stupor or coma develops; the surface of the body 

 becomes cold; the pupils are insensible to light; the pulse slow and 

 intermitting; the breathing labored, and death supervenes. The tem- 

 perature throughout the disease is seldom increased, unless the dis- 

 ease becomes complicated with acute inflammatory disease of the 

 brain or respiratory organs, which often occur as a result of the urea 

 in the circulation. Albumen and tube casts may frequently be 

 found in the urine. The disease almost invariably pioves fatal. 



Treatment. — This must be directed to a removal of the cause. (See 

 "Diseases of the Kidney.") 



ELECTRIC SHOCK. 



Electric shock, from coming in contact with electric wires, is becom- 

 ing a matter of rather frequent occurrence, and has a similar effect 

 upon the animal system to a shock from lightning. Two degrees of 

 electric or lightning shock maybe observed, one producing temporar}^ 

 contraction of muscles and insensibility, from which recovery is pos- 

 sible, the other killing directly, by producing a condition of nervous 

 and general insensibility-. In shocks which are not immediately fatal 

 the animal is usuallj^ insensible, the respiration slow, labored or gasp- 

 ing, the pulse slow, feeble, and irregular, and the pupils dilated and 

 not sensitive, or they may be contracted and sensitive. The temper- 

 ature is lowered. There maybe a tendencj-to convulsions or spasms. 

 The predominating symptoms are extreme cardiac and respiratoiy 

 depression. 



Treatment. — Sulphate of atropia should be given hypodermicallyin 

 one-quarter-grain doses every hour or two hours until the heart beats 

 are invigorated, the number and fullness of the respirations increased, 

 and consciousness returns. Stimulating injections per rectum may 

 also be useful in arousing the circulation; for this purpose whisky or 

 ammonia water mav be used. 



