84 VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



to 10 ounces twice, and then to 12 ounces three times, 

 without ill effects. Against this is to be set the occur- 

 rence of several well-authenticated cases in the literature, 

 and in 1909 a case was brought under the writer's notice 

 in which three bullocks died after having had 1 pound 

 each of a mixture containing 80 per cent, of potassium 

 nitrate and 20 per cent, of magnesium sulphate. Wallis 

 Hoare communicates a similar case, in which potassium 

 nitrate was sold in mistake for Epsom salt. Four cows 

 having a pound each died. As with salt, the question 

 of nitre poisoning merits further research. 



Symptoms. — The general symptoms observed are gastro- 

 intestinal irritation, trembling, convulsions, tetanic con- 

 vulsions, dilatation of the pupil, and paralysis of the 

 voluntary movements. 



In a case observed in Germany* three cows had had 

 15 ounces of sodium nitrate, and there was observed 

 agitation, trembling, salivation, loss of power, protruding 

 tongue, and eyes turned in orbits. 



In the cases observed by Wallis Hoare {v. supra) 

 there was violent pain, collapse, tympanites, but no 

 purging. 



Batchelder* records the death of 130 out of 226 lambs 

 which had each had 1 ounce of sodium sulphate and 

 1 ounce of potassium nitrate. 



Post-Mortem Appearances. — There are observed irrita- 

 tion of the digestive and urino - genital channels ; the 

 venous blood is red and not coagulated. In one case ^ there 

 was no evidence of disease, but an immense quantity of 

 water in the digestive organs. 



In Wallis Hoare's cases the abomasum was inflamed and 

 of claret colour, small intestines injected, and kidneys con- 

 gested. 



The Treatment should consist of measures similar to 

 those adopted in the case of salt. 



The Chemical Diag-nosis also follows the principles 

 described under Salt. After evaporation of the dialysed 

 fluid, sodium or potassium nitrate may be easily recognized 



