82 VETEKINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



mental poisoning of fowls by the same author showed the 

 dose to be 4 grammes per kilo body- weight by the injection 

 of salt solution into the crop, and the symptoms observed 

 appeared to show a special action on the muscles, illustrated 

 by progressive difficulty in walking, with eventual inability 

 to stand. But there was no true paralysis, because the 

 muscles still exhibited reflex action. Death was attributed 

 to asphyxia, due to loss of power of the respiratory 

 muscles. 



The symptoms of somnolence, hypersBsthesia, and vertigo 

 8eem further to indicate an action upon the nervous 

 I centres. 



In the Veterinarian^ is an abstract from the German 

 relating to the deaths of cattle. 



Twelve kilos (about 27 pounds) of salt dissolved in water 

 was given to seven cattle, and there was observed agitation, 

 loss of appetite, suspended rumination, thirst, a slight 

 increase of pulse, normal evacuations. On the next day 

 the animals were recumbent ; head and back legs ex- 

 tended ; foaming, body cold, moaning, moderate tympanites ; 

 evacuations liquid, greenish, and mixed with mucus and 

 blood. Death occurred within twenty-one to twenty-four 

 hours. 



Since the practice of giving large doses of salt to cattle 

 in the treatment of red water has come in, dangerous 

 effects of depression, abdominal pain, extreme thirst, and 

 often collapse have been observed after doses of 1 to 

 1| pounds, especially if not well diluted (Wallis Hoare). 



Post-Mortem Appearances. — General inflammation of 

 the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines is to 

 be observed, and injection of the cerebral membranes appears 

 to be characteristic. The blood * is dull red, rapidly coagu- 

 lating, the clot separating easily from a whitish slimy 

 serum. 



iFeatment. — In a case observed by Sir Charles Cameron^ 

 a cure was effected by means of emetics and stimulants. 

 Demulcents, with opium and stimulants, such as camphor 

 and ether, against the general weakness, are indicated. 



