Cryptogamic Poisoning in Carnivora. 301 



desired relief. The animal becomes rapidly weaker and though 

 unable to rise has frequent paroxysms of trembling and other 

 nervous symptoms. 



Lesions. With mouldy bread the congestion of the gastric and 

 intestinal mucosa, and of the mesenteric glands are marked fea- 

 tures. With brine there is in addition the heart gorged with 

 black, tarry blood, the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue 

 shows a similar dark congestion, also, the brain and its membranes 

 and the kidneys and bladder. Petechiae are abundant on the 

 serous membranes and other parts of the body. 



Treatment. Evacuate the .stomach by tickling the fauces, 

 giving tepid drinks, or ipecacuan. Follow with purgative of 

 sulphate of soda and diuretics especially potassium iodide. Po- 

 tassium bromide, sodium salicylate or salol may be given to calm 

 nervous excitement and check fermentation. Degoix recom- 

 mends chloral hydrate, enemata, cold to the head, and counter- 

 irritants and in very prostrate conditions stimulants may be 

 employed. 



The most important measure, however, is the cutting off of the 

 supply of the poison and the admini.stration of a whole.some diet. 

 Medicinal treatment is too often unsatisfactory and will seldom 

 pay for the trouble ; prevention is the one rational and economi- 

 cal measure. 



CRYPTOGAMIC POISONING IN CARNIVORA. 



Botulism. Racial immunity. Acquired immunity. Gastric secretions, 

 protective. Bacteria in septic beef, old brine, stale fish, privy air. Symp- 

 toms : sudden onset, colic, nausea, retching, vomiting, septic vomit, fever, 

 tender abdomen, bloody, foetid, mucous diarrhoea, prostration, death in 

 three to twenty-four hours. Lesions : of gastro-enteritis, ingesta foetid, 

 congestions and petechias of other organs. Treatment : emetic, laxative, 

 diuretics, potassium iodide, antiseptics, demulcents, stimulants. 



Causes. What is called botulism in man is not uncommon in 

 carnivora. Eating carcases of animals that have died of disease, 

 of poisoning, etc., in a raw condition and too often in an ad- 

 vanced state of putrefaction, they are liable not only to infection 

 by the pathogenic or poisonous microbes, but also to direct 



