POISONING AND TRAPPING 293 
than most other poisons. Should strychnine 
be accidentally swallowed by an adult, antidotes 
are usually available, and by prompt action a 
fatal result may be prevented.’ 
Experiments by the Biological Survey show 
that strychnine, all things considered, is a 
cheaper poison than arsenic. Strychnia sul- 
phate may be purchased in bulk at about 75 
cents an ounce; white arsenic costs about 15 
cents a pound. An ounce of strychnine will 
thoroughly poison 60 pounds of wheat intended 
for field-mice; a pound of arsenic will poison 
only 10 to 12 pounds of the grain for the same 
purpose. The cost of preparing the 60 pounds 
of wheat, therefore, will be about the same with 
either poison; but more of that containing 
1“In case of poisoning by strychnine an emetic should be 
promptly given—a teaspoonful of mustard in a glass of water 
(warm, if available). Another excellent emetic is zine sul- 
phate (10 to 60 grains in tepid water) or apomorphine (4 
drops by hypodermic injection). A stomach pump cannot be 
used after the first few minutes. As soon as the emetic has 
acted, the patient should be put slightly under the influence 
of chloroform or ether, and kept so for several hours. He 
should be kept in a darkened room and away from noise of 
all kinds. Further treatment may be left to the physician, 
who should be summoned as soon as the poisoning is dis- 
covered.”—U. 8S. Dept. Agr., Yearbook, 1909. 
