46 VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



Concerning the toxic effect of antimony on carnivora 

 there can be no question, and as regards the herbivora, 

 there is sufScient evidence to v?arrant the opinion that the 

 habitual use of antimonial medicines is objectionable, and 

 may, particularly with young and delicate thoroughbred 

 animals, cause poisoning. In consideration of the large 

 quantities of antimonial condition powders, which are 

 administered empirically as a matter of weekly routine 

 by persons in charge of stock, this is a very important 

 point, worthy of close attention. 



G. Armitage* quoted a case of the death of pigs. They 

 were stated to have had the usual food, exhibited severe 

 abdominal pain, and made unsuccessful efforts to vomit, 

 but there was no purgation. 



On post-mortem the stomachs were gorged, and the 

 mucous membranes showed intense inflammation, extend- 

 ing to the whole of the small intestine. The large intestine 

 was not inflamed. In the stomach was found a deposit of 

 black grains of antimony sulphide, and the opinion was 

 formed that death had resulted from an antimony, nitre, 

 and sulphur condition powder. 



In 1909 a case was investigated in which a six months 

 blood filly, apparently well overnight, was suddenly seized 

 with violent scouring, and died very quickly. On post- 

 mortem acute inflammation of the stomach and bowels 

 was observed, the other organs appearing normal. Anti- 

 mony was found in the viscera — it was admitted that the 

 animal had been dosed with a condition powder — and no 

 other cause of poisoning or death was discernible. 



In another case investigated in 1905, doping heavily 

 with antimony prior to a sale appeared the only explanation 

 of the sudden death of a mare. 



Treatment. — Antimonial poisoning is treated by removal 

 of the cause by evacuation of the stomach and oily purga- 

 tives with demulcents. 



Tannic acid precipitates tartar emetic, and is used as a 

 chemical antidote. 



* ' Vet. Eecords,' 1865, p. 337. 



