MINEEAL OE INOEGANIC POISONS 77 



from both nostrils. Frequent short, painful cough and 

 loud, sibilant r^les, and dull patches pointed to bronchitis, 

 congestion, and pulmonary oedema. 



On the third day in the first case the pupil became visible 

 and appetite improved. About the twelfth day the animal 

 became convalescent, but bronchial complications lasted 

 some time. The second animal was, however, worse, 

 broncho-pneumonia and septicsemia set in, and it was 

 slaughtered on the tenth day. 



Post-MoFtem Appearances. — In the above cases there 

 were observed patches of purulent broncho- pneumonia ; the. 

 bronchi of greyish colour, the smaller filled with purulent 

 casts containing debris of mucous membrane. The lower 

 borders of the lungs were particularly implicated. 



In a case of poisoning of a dog, observed some years ago, 

 the stomach showed violent infiammation, was distended 

 with gas, and contained brownish bloody fluid. Death 

 had occurred in two days after bloody vomiting at the end, 

 but the symptoms unfortunately were not under expert 

 observation. 



Treatment. — Ammonia poisoning is treated by dilute 

 acids, preferably diluted vinegar, as a chemical antidote ; 

 demulcents, honey, and belladonna as a stimulant. 



Chemical Diagnosis. — The recognition of free ammonia 

 is a matter of great ease from the well-known smell and other 

 properties of that substance. In the above-mentioned case 

 the gas contained in the stomach was ammonia, and 2 ounces 

 of the fluid yielded ^ grain of ammonia on distillation. In 

 seeking for ammonia a precaution is necessary, since volatile 

 bases of ammoniacal odour may be found in putrefaction. 

 The distinction, however, is easy, since ammonium chloride 

 does not fuse on heating, but sublimes, and is insoluble in 

 strong alcohol, properties not shared by the chlorides of the 

 organic bases. 



In cases such as those of poisoning by vapour it need 

 hardly be remarked that chemical diagnosis is superfluous 

 and impossible, for long before death, which results as an 

 after effect, the absorbed substance will have been eliminated. 



