POISONINGS 201 



nent sequelae, sucli as pulmonary emphysema, roaring, 

 and vertigo. 



Carbolic Acid Foisoniiig 



Poisoning of horses with carbolic acid is usually acci- 

 dental, by mistaking the acid for some harmless drug, 

 placing carbolic acid in mis-labeled bottles, or misconcep- 

 tion of the effects of the acid when given internally. 



Symptoms. The mouth shows white patches on the 

 mucous membrane where the acid came in contact with 

 it. Contracted pupils. The horse is listless, has mus- 

 cular tremors, lack of coordination when forced to move. 

 There is salivation, dyspnea, weak and rapid pulse, and 

 usually a subnormal temperature. If the dose was lethal, 

 collapse and deep coma precede death. The urine gives 

 off the odor of the acid. 



Treatment. Alcohol is the antidote for this poison; 

 give it freely. The best physiological antidote to be 

 given in conjunction with the alcohol is atropin. If col- 

 lapse threatens, use strychnia. Avoid giving anything 

 oUy. The direct chemical antidotes for the treatment of 

 carbolic acid poisoning are the sulphates of magnesium 

 and sodium. They form sulpho-carbolates. The best 

 results are, however, gotten from alcohol. 



The three important items to remember in the treat- 

 ment of carbolic acid poisoning are : 



1. Alcohol. 



2. Atropin. 



3. Strychnin. 



In districts where alcohol is not easy to obtain use 

 magnesium or sodium sulphate. If neither alcohol nor 

 one of these salts can be obtained, use vinegar. It is said 

 to be almost as valuable as alcohol in this form of poison- 

 ing. The alcohol has, however, the additional action of a 

 stimulant, an action that is by no means superfluous here. 



