62 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



which is followed b_y drowsiness, ;i disposition to sleep or complete 

 anesthesia, depending on the quantity of the dnig used. In poi- 

 sonous doses a state of exhilaration is well marked at first. This 

 is particularly noticeable in cattle and in horses. The animal be- 

 comes much excited, and this stage does not pass into insensibility 

 unless an enormous dose has been given. If the dose is large enough, 

 a second stage sometimes supervenes, in which the symptoms are 

 those of congestion of the brain. The visible membranes have a 

 bluish tint (cyanotic) from interference with the air supply. The 

 breathing is slow, laltored, and later stertorous; the pupils of the 

 eyes are very much contracted ; the skin dr}^ and warm. Gas accu- 

 mulates in the stomach, so that tympanites is a prominent symptom. 

 The i^atient may be aroused by great noise or the infliction of sharp 

 pain, when the breathing becomes more natural. A lapse into the 

 comatose condition takes place when the excitement ceases. Later, 

 there is perfect coma and the patient can no longer be aroused from 

 the insensible condition. The contraction of the pupil becomes more 

 marked, the breathing intermittent and slower, there is perspiration, 

 the pulse more feeble and rapid, till death takes place. Poisoning of 

 cattle with opium or its products rarely goes bej'ond the stage of 

 excitement, because the (|uantity of the drug required for the later 

 effects is so great. Seventy-five grains of morphia administered sub- 

 cutaneously has sufficed merely to excite for 12 hours. 



Treatment. — Give strong coffee, 1 to 4 quarts, aromatic spirits of 

 ammonia or carbonate of ammonia. Atropia is the physiological 

 antidote. 



STRYCHNIN POISONING. 



Strychnin is a very concentrated poison and j^roduces its effect 

 very quickh% usually only a few minutes being necessary if c'iven in 

 sufficient dose and in such a way that it will be at once absorl>ed. 

 When employed as a medicine, as a rule, minimum doses should be 

 used, as cattle are quite susceptible to its elfccts and may be killed 

 by the maximum doses given in the common manuals of veterinarv 

 medicine. The first noticeable symptom is e\-idence of unrest or 

 mental excitement; at the same time the muscles over the shoulder 

 and croup may be seen to quiver or twitch, and later there occurs a 

 more or less well-markeil convulsion; the head is jerked back the 

 l)ack arched and leg extended, the eyes drawn. The spasm continues 

 for only a few minutes, when it relaxes and another occurs in a short 

 time. The return is hastened b_y excitement and in a short time 

 again disappears, continuing to disappear and reappear until death 

 residts. As the poisonous eifeet ad\'ances the intervals between the 

 spasms become shorter and less marked and the siiasms more severe 

 until the animal dies in violent striiiroles. 



