264 THEORY AND PRACTICE 



aromatic spirits of ammonia and nux and tie the horses outside 

 in the open air. Do not put them into the stable nor feed them 

 till they are well cooled out. During this time give them cold 

 water to drink in small quantities and often. If treated in this 

 way they will be ready for work the next day, but if not they will 

 go out tired next morning and probably collapse before night. 

 When a horse begins to pant collapse is imminent, consequently 

 he should be driven into the shade, unharnessed, sponged off, 

 watered and, when able, driven home. 



DEATH BY LIGHTNING. 



Post Mortem findings in death from electricity. 



First : — Rigor Mortis is always quick, second or third hour, 

 in 'fifty minutes in one case. 



Second : — ^Points of Penetration show more or less burns. 

 Points of exit show less burning than those of entrance. 



Third: — If body is opened immediately the heart is lax, both 

 ventricles full and the auricles pulsating rhythmically. If Post 

 is delayed fifteen minutes or more the left ventricle is sometimes 

 found empty and firmly contracted. 



Fourth : — The arteries are contracted to the limit, the blood 

 being forced into the large veins of the trunk and head. 



Fifth : — Viscera engorged. 



"Sixth : — Nervous system presents no change either macrosco- 

 pical or microscopical. Molecular changes are supposed to occur 

 but not proven. Brain is sometimes seen with gross destruction 

 of peripheral cortex with intracranial hemorrhage. 



Cause of Death. — Paralysis of the heart in ventricular tre- 

 mulation in case of a low pressure current (syncope), and in- 

 hibition of the respiratory center in high pressure current 

 (asphyxia). 



Treatment. — Artificial respiration and Faradic current to the 

 precordium, diaphragm and epigastric region. Also bromides 

 and strychnine. 



