MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 133 



antiferment occasionally as a local anaesthetic or anodyne in a 2 to 

 5 per cent solution ; also as a caustic ; but should not be used as a 

 caustic, as a burn from it heals very slowly. Used internally it usu- 

 ally contracts the pupil, although occasionally dilates it. It is used 

 internally as a gastric sedative in small doses for vomiting in 

 dogs ; is administered in various contagious and zymotic diseases, 

 with the view of preventing or arresting the development of 

 micro-organisms; it coagulates albumen, is not nearly so active 

 as corrosive sublimate ; 1 to 500 prevents the growth of anthrax 

 and other bacilli (according to Koch). Full doses, besides pro- 

 ducing local caustic effects, cause gastro-enteritis, and collapse, 

 which may end fatally; it is a muscular and nerve paraJyzer, 

 both internally and externally, kills by paralyzing the muscles of 

 respiration and the heart. It is chiefly excreted by the kidneys, 

 coloring the urine a brownish hue. 



Toxicology. — Dogs and cats are very susceptible to the action 

 of carbolic acid. 



Dogs are commonly poisoned by its use externally in Mange 

 cures, etc. 



Cats are extraordinarily susceptible to all coal-tar products 

 whether used internally or locally. 



Even a 1% solution of creolin or similar products applied 

 externally kills them and the odor of creolin and allied com- 

 pounds when used as disinfectants and deodorizers in cat quarters 

 usually makes them sick. 



The symptoms of mild carbolic acid poisoning are great 

 lassitude, dullness, less of appetite, muscular weakness and 

 trembling (possibly paralysis) and dark colored urine having 

 the odor of carbolic acid. 



In severe poisoning there will be trembling, occasionally but 

 rarely vomiting and purging, restlessness, salivation, loss of mus- 

 cular power, animal staggers and falls, lessening of sensation, 

 dyspnoea, breathing rapid, shallow and stertorous; pulse weak, 

 irregular and usually frequent, the temperature is lowered, gen- 

 eral collapse with insensibility, coma, loss of reflex action, occa- 

 sional convulsions and death. 



If the acid has been taken by the mouth it will be stained 



