POISONOUS PLANTS 247 



Toxic Doses. — According to Finlay Dun, poisoning is 

 caused by tobacco-leaf in horses by 9 ounces ; cattle, 1 pound ; 

 sheep, 1 ounce ; dog, 1 to 2 drachms. Of nicotine 5 to 

 6 minims is poisonous to the horse and ox, 1 to 3 minims 

 for the dog, and subcutaneously about j^ part of these doses 

 (Kaufmann). 



Symptoms. — A warm solution of about 5 per cent, strong 

 tobacco- juice content was applied to about one-third of the 

 shaved body surface of mangy horses.* After a few minutes 

 the horses which had scratches on their bodies showed 

 profuse sweating, tremors, nausea, disturbed respiration, 

 head extended, and dilated nostrils. 



In another similar case of two colts,t one died within an 

 hour. After five hours the second animal was stretched on 

 the straw, ears cold, nose dry, pulse imperceptible, respira- 

 tion very slow, and deep coma. Under strong coffee there 

 was recovery. 



G. H. Livesey I describes the nicotine poisoning of a fox 

 terrier to which tobacco had been given as a cure for 

 worms. The vomit contained a lump of about J ounce of 

 tobacco. There were clonic muscular spasms, eyes re- 

 tracted within orbits, mouth moist, mucous membranes 

 rather , pale, with bluish tinge ; quick full pulse, cold 

 extremities, and deglutition impossible. Potassium 

 bromide was given ; the animal showed signs of collapse, 

 the body was cold, respiration shallow, heart slow and 

 feeble, legs limp and paralysed, occasionally convulsed, and 

 the muscles of the right shoulder showed persistent tremor. 

 Strychnine gave a good reaction, the convulsions ceased 

 after five hours, and as soon as possible dilute alcohol was 

 given. It vomited again. The vomit was stained brown, 

 smelling of tobacco, and mixed with a small amount of 

 blood ; on the next day it was well. 



Post-MoFtem Appearances. — There will be observed in- 

 flammatory patches in the digestive tube; ecchymoses of 

 the lung and left valves of the heart ; injection of the 



* Abstract, Vet. Becord, 1906, p. 68. f Ibid. 



X Jl- Gomjo. Path., 1904, p. 359. 



