MINEEAL OR INORGANIC POISONS 51 



convulsions, and coma observed in the acute form ; the 

 general symptoms of wasting, emaciation, debility, and the 

 like. Rumination and lactation cease, and convulsions, 

 coma, and paralysis precede death. 



Some excellent examples of chronic or slow lead poisoning 

 in cows, due to bullet splashes, were recorded by Tuson,'' 

 Broad,^ and Watson in 1866. In these cases the period 

 intervening between the ingestion of the lead splashes and 

 illness was prolonged, amounting to as much as fifty- 

 eight weeks. The symptoms observed were — abdomen 

 tucked up, staring eyes, dull look, staggering, groaning; 

 lactation ceased, appetite good, constipation alternated by 

 diarrhoea; gradual wasting and prostration preceded death. 

 The blue line was absent. The viscera generally were pale, 

 the intestinal walls having a peculiar blue colour, and the 

 abdominal cavity contained about 3 gallons of straw- 

 coloured fluid. Metallic lead was found in the reticulum, 

 and Tuson observed that this had been corroded by the 

 digestive juices. These cases are further remarkable in 

 illustration of the lodgment of the solid matter so perma- 

 nently in the digestive system. 



The Veterinarian, 1855, p. 609,^ records an interesting 

 legal action with comments, arising from the chronic 

 poisoning of stock, due to lead- smelting operations in the 

 Mendips. There were observed stunted growth ; leanness ; 

 shortness of breath ; paralysis, especially of hind extremities ; 

 swelling at knees ; but no constipation or colic. It was 

 adduced by Herapath, in evidence, that the blue line on 

 the gums gave, on dissection and blowpipe reduction, visible 

 beads of metallic lead. 



Plumbism is remarkable from the length of illness, 

 which may be protracted over weeks or even months. In 

 horses lead causes roaring and dyspnoea by acting on the 

 vagus nerve. Cases in point are given by the German 

 authorities, and have also been observed by Shenton in 

 this country.* 



Post-MoFtem Appearances. — Inflammation of the fourth 



* See Dun, ' Veterinary Medicines,' 1911, p. 228. 



