26 VETERINARY TOXICOLOGY 



poisoning? Although the special treatment may be 

 impossible, the type of poison is indicated by the nature 

 of the symptoms as above related — thus : as corrosive or 

 irritant, acting locally on the alimentary tract ; as depressant, 

 tending to stop the action of the heart or respiration, or 

 cause paralysis and coma ; as convulsive, through excessive 

 nervous stimulation. The main principles of treatment 

 are — 



1. Prevent more poison being taken. The affected animal 

 and others liable to the same source of poison ought to be 

 put into a safe place, and the food changed. Only known 

 and safe food and water of proved purity {ad lib.) should 

 be offered. Samples of suspected food and water ought to 

 be taken. As far as possible, keep the patient quiet and 

 unworried. 



2. Prevent absorption, or render inert any poison on the 

 skin or in the stomach, (a) Any skin application such as 

 an ointment or dip must be washed off, preferably by soapy 

 water. 



(6) Clear the stomach, except in cases of strong corrosive 

 poisoning, when perforation is liable to be caused. Emetics 

 can only be used with the dog, cat, and pig, and thorough 

 washing of the stomach is only practicable with the dog 

 and cat. Fluids to dilute or neutralise the poison can only 

 be given to the horse by drenching, unless voluntarily taken. 

 Drenching and the hollow probang or stomach-tube are 

 applied to the ox and sheep. 



Useful emetics are — A strong salt solution (not advised for 

 the pig) ; mustard and water (a dessertspoonful in 4 to 6 

 ounces) ; zinc sulphate (dog, grs. v. to x. ; pig, grs. x. to xv.) ; 

 pulv. ipecac, (dog, grs. x. to xxx. ; pig, grs. xv. to 3i.) ; apomor- 

 phine hydrochloride hypodermically (dog, gr. x^ to |- ; cat, 

 gr. #T! to tV- 



To hinder absorption, tannic acid (horse, 3ii. ; ox, 3iv.), 

 oak bark, oak galls, or logwood (horse, 3iv. ; ox, §i.), in gruel ; 

 or charcoal (horse, gi.) in gruel or oil may be given. 

 These remedies are primarily directed against vegetable 

 alkaloids. 



