214 VETEEINAEY TOXICOLOGY 



Poisonous Effects and Symptoms. — The general effect 

 of Conine is the production of paralysis of the motor nerve- 

 endings, dyspnoea resulting from that of the pectoral nerves, 

 and acceleration of the heart from that of the inhibitory 

 fibres of the pneumogastric. 



In the horse- there is nausea, gritting of the teeth, 

 accelerated respiration and dyspnoea, muscular trembling, 

 beginning first in the posterior members, difficulty in walk- 

 ing, and paralysis ; loss of sensibility, low temperature, 

 rapid pulse, and death by arrest of respiration. 



With the ox there is salivation, arrest of digestion, con- 

 stipation, and profound stupor^; the respiration is rapid. 

 In some instances bloody evacuations have been noticed.^' ^ 

 In sheep^^'^ the abdomen is tucked up, there is a dazed 

 appearance, dilatation of pupils, unsteady gait, the hind 

 limbs being dragged, coldness, and death after a few con- 

 vulsive movements. 



In the pig^ there have been noticed prostration and 

 inability to move, coldness, slow breathing, livid mucous 

 membranes, eyes amaurotic, imperceptible pulse, paralysis, 

 particularly of the posterior members, and no con- 

 vulsions. 



Conine is eliminated by the urine and by the lungs, im- 

 parting its peculiar odour to the exhaled air. 



Post-Mortem Appearances. — As regards the alimentary 

 tract, these are not characteristic, the poison not being an 

 irritant, but some congestion may be noticed. The organs 

 are engorged, blood black and tarry ; the right heart filled, 

 the left almost empty. 



Treatment should consist in the evacuation of the 

 stomach and purgation ; tannic acid, to remove the alks^- 

 loid ; warmth and stimulants — e.g., strychnine, atropine, 

 and alcohol. 



Chemical Diagnosis. — Conine, being volatile, is separated 

 by steam distillation from the alkaline material. The 

 odour of the pure alkaloid is very characteristic, but is 

 generally masked by the smell natural to the organic 

 matters. If much conine is present, oily drops are seen 



