QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 339 



often nauseate and cause serious conditions in cats and dogs when 

 applied externally. 



What are the symptoms of mercurial poisoning? Give an antidote to 

 mercury. 



The symptoms of mereurialism (hydrargyrism) are: salivation, 

 ulcerous stomatitis, loosening of teeth, blue line along the gums, 

 gastro-enteritis, bloody diarrhoea, cough, nasal discharge, often 

 blood-streaked, weakness, dizziness, trembling, delirium. Acute 

 form lasts from 10 to 14 days. Chronic form may last several 

 weeks or even months, and is accompanied by extreme wasting, 

 chronic eczema, falling hair, and lameness, due to affections of the 

 joints and muscles. 



Best antidote is egg-albumin, which forms the insoluble albu- 

 minate of mercury. Sulphur or sulphur compounds also form in- 

 soluble compounds with mercury. 



Give the symptoms of lead poisoning in the ox. Prescribe treatment for 

 lead poisoning. 



Lead poisoning, also called plumbism and saturnism, occurs in 

 acute and chronic forms. The acute form is rarely seen, and is 

 shown by intense gastro-enteritis, salivation, retching, paralysis, 

 coma, and collapse. The chronic form is characterized by emaciation, 

 dyspncea, tonic spasms of the flexor muscles and paralysis of the 

 extensors of the fore limbs, blue line along the gums, anaemia, 

 cedema, colic, constipation, convulsions, and death. 



Treatment in acute form consists of the administration of large 

 doses of sulphate of magnesia or soda to form the insoluble sulphate 

 of lead and to hasten the emptying of the alimentary tract. Give 

 stimulants and apply warmth to the body. 



Chronic form is treated with potassium iodide, after having 

 emptied the alimentary tract. Sulphates may be given in small 

 repeated doses to assist elimination and prevent reabsorption. 



Describe the effects of a poisonous dose of aconite. 



Muscular weakness, dimness of sight, mydriasis, a slow, small, 

 and weak pulse, dyspncea, retching, belching, vomiting, salivation, 

 flatulence, and copious sweating. A peculiar clicking sound is often 

 observed, due to the irritation of the throat and constant attempts 

 at swallowing. The temperature falls two or three degrees. Death 

 is preceded by muscular twitching, loss of strength, and falling, and 

 is due to paralysis of the heart and respiration. 



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