134 VETERINARY TOXICOLOGY 



method is that of dialysis through parchment as practised 

 for salt, nitre, and mineral acids. The diffusate may be 

 purified by neutralising and adding lead acetate, which 

 precipitates insoluble lead oxalate. This is collected, 

 washed, suspended in water, and sulphuretted hydrogen 

 passed into the turbid fluid. Lead sulphide is thus precis 

 pitated, and after filtering the solution on evaporation 

 deposits oxalic acid. 



Two tests sufficiently characterise oxalic acid, if sufficient 

 material is available. (1) Warmed with strong sulphuric 

 acid, oxalic acid (and its salts) gives carbon monoxide and 

 carbon dioxide, and does not char. (2) Calcium chloride 

 precipitates calcium oxalate from a neutral solution. The 

 calcium oxalate is insoluble in ammonia and in acetic acid 

 (distinction from tartaric, citric, malic, and succinic 

 acids). 



In medico-legal work oxalic acid or a salt must be 

 recovered from alimentary contents or vomit. The detec- 

 tion of calcium oxalate in the urine is not evidence, 

 especially with the herbivorse, in which a diet of sorrel will 

 cause increased excretion of this salt. 



ALCOHOL. 



Occuppence. — Alcohol results from the fermentation of 

 sugar by yeast, and thus enters into the composition of ale, 

 wine, and distilled liquors. The latter rarely exceed a 

 strength of 50 per cent, by weight of alcohol. 



Acute alcohol poisoning is very occasionally observed in 

 animals, and, as in man, follows the consumption of a large 

 dose of pure spirit or of spirituous beverage. The chronic 

 alcoholism of man is not observed in animals, possibly 

 from the inaccessibility of alcoholics, for goat and sheep are 

 stated to quickly acquire a liking and tolerance for spirits, 

 taking 6 or 8 ounces of brandy without serious effect 

 (Hertwig). Ducks, fowls, and parrots also take alcohol 

 readily after having had it given a few times. 



