POISONS. 191 



detected in the contents of the stomach by Stas' test. 

 The prolonged and exaggerated post-mortem rigor is 

 also distinctive. The contents of the alimentary canal are 

 generally poisonous. The body decomposes slowly. Ergot 

 of rye and other ergots may be obtained from the pasture, 

 as this fungus grows not only upon the rye, but on many 

 other grasses. It is apt to prove the cause of epizootic 

 abortion through its special action on the muscular fibres 

 of the pregnant uterus. Professor Robertson attributes the 

 nervous disorder, '^ louping ill '' of sheep, to its action. It 

 is seldom given in overdose, but then has a dangerous action 

 on the brain, producing at times narcotism, at other times 

 syncope. It is considered to have a special action also on 

 the white muscular fibres of the small arteries, and hence 

 has been used as a haemostatic, but it has been known to 

 cause gangrene of parts distant from the centre of circu- 

 lation. The symptoms and a careful examination of the 

 food must prove our guide in diagnosis of these cases. 

 Cathartics, sedatives (local and general), and an imme- 

 diate change of pasture, are indicated in an enzootic of 

 abortion due to this poison. 



Naecotics are distinguishable from sedatives by their 

 preliminary stimulating effects, and by the fact that they 

 cause perversion of the mental faculties. Thus, they cause 

 inebriation and delirium, and bring about death by coma, 

 whereas sedatives produce syncope. 



O^pium is essentially soporific. It is obtained by feeding 

 on white poppies, overdose, and by malicious adminis- 

 tration. The principal symptom is an uncontrollable 

 tendency to sleep, the animal stands or lies with eyes 

 closed, breathing slow and deep, pulse full and rather 

 slow, opens the eyes sleepily when roused by any sound, 

 and then rapidly dozes off again. There is a contraction 

 of the pupil of the eye and a cessation of any pain from 

 which the animal may have been suffering. These signs 

 become exaggerated, the pulse imperceptible, breathing 

 infrequent, and, finally, apncea causes the death of the 

 animal as a culmination of coma. After death the blood, 

 contents of the alimentary canal, and tissues are found to 



