420 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



" Half an ounce of the ordinary watery extract is fatal to dogs 

 in about thirty hours, when given by the mouth; half that 

 quantity in twenty-four hours when introduced into a wound ; 

 and even smaller doses than these are more speedily fatal when 

 injected into the jugular vein." — Christison. 



Post-mortem Appearances. — " In animals poisoned by belladonna, 

 death results partly from paralysis, partly from coma ; the blood 

 remains fluid, and putrefaction sets in very early ; the lungs, and 

 sometimes also the brain and its membranes, are congested ; but 

 no inflammatory appearances can in general be detected." — 

 Finlay Dun. 



Antidotes. — Same as for opium. 



Doses. — Powdered leaves 2 to 5 grains. 

 Extract, i to 3 grains. 



ACONITE. 



This drug is chiefly used, in canine practice, homoeopathically. 



Actions and Uses. — In large doses, a cerebro-spinal poison, 

 paralyzing the nervous functions. Medicinally, it is a sedative, 

 antispasmodic, and anodyne, especially valuable in tetanus. When 

 given in excess, active and continued vomiting takes place, 

 followed by exhaustion and paralysis of the hind parts. A 

 drachm of Fleming's tincture has speedily destroyed dogs. 

 Diluted with eight or ten parts of water, it has been found 

 efficacious in allying skin-irritation and hastening the cure of 

 eczema. 



Antidotes. — Emetics ; stimulants externally and internally. 



Doses. — Fleming's tincture, i to 2 minims. 



CHLOROFORM. 



This most useful drug — a boon alike to men and animals — may, 

 through unforeseen circumstances, prove a fatal agent. 



Actions and Uses. — In excess, a narcotic poison. Medicinally, 

 an anaesthetic stimulant, and antispasmodic, and externally, an 

 antiparasitic agent. 



Post-mortem Appearances. — "In animals destroyed by the in- 

 halation of chloroform, the post-mortem appearances are variable. 

 The lungs are usually congested ; the heart continues to beat for 

 a considerable time after respiration has ceased, its left side being 

 nearly empty, but its right filled with semi-solid, dark-coloured 

 blood. The veins of the head, neck, and chest are distended with 

 black fluid venous blood ; and the membranes of the bram are 

 sometimes congested." — Finlay Dun. 



