MINEEAL OR INOEGANIC POISONS 59 



dilute solutions exercising an astringent and antiseptic 

 effect, contracting the capillaries, with arrest of secretions 

 and disinfection of the surface. 



Large doses produce amongst animals loss of appetite, 

 nausea, colic, diarrhoea, and fatal gastro-enteritis. 



Small doses continued over a long time eventuate in 

 chronic poisoning. Thus, Ellenberger and Hofmeister 

 gave sheep from 7^ to 45 grains of copper sulphate per 

 day, and observed death in periods of from 50 to 114 days. 



Baum and Seeliger* similarly experimented on sheep, 

 goats, dogs, and cats, to which cuprohsemol (a compound of 

 copper with haemoglobin), copper sulphate, copper acetate, 

 and copper oleate were administered over extended periods. 

 They observed great emaciation, weakness, loss of appetite, 

 cramp, and death. 



The injection of non-irritant copper salts — e.g., double 

 alkali tartrates and albuminates — induces slow and weak 

 locomotion, and later paralysis, in which the heart and 

 respiration are involved. If the animal survives, violent 

 and bloody diarrhoea, loss of flesh and appetite, albu- 

 minuria, icterus and anaemia may ensue. 



The poisonous doses quoted by Kaufmann for the horse 

 and ox are 300 grains each of copper sulphate. Dogs with- 

 stand daily doses of 10 to 15 grains of copper sulphate, but 

 may succumb under the effects of 40 to 60 grains (Finlay 

 Dun). Fifteen grains of the sulphate injected into the 

 jugular vein of a dog killed in 12 seconds (Ohristison). 



Theiler (see under Arsenic) found that 22 grains of 

 copper sulphate is a safe dose for sheep, 45 grains and 

 upwards causing death from acute gastro-enteritis. 



Symptoms of Acute Poisoning*. — Recorded instances 

 of acute copper poisoning are rare. A case is given by 

 Reimerst in which four foals (six months), having eaten 

 wheat cured with copper sulphate, were estimated to have 

 received about 9,000 grains, and after twenty-four hours all 

 were ill, and one dead. 



The symptoms observed were — sweating, muscular 

 * Vet. Becord, 1898, p. 249. t Vet. Jl., 1908, p. 215. 



