204 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



appear almost black in color, become loosened and may 

 even fall out. Eventually complete paralysis results. 



Acute Arsenic Poisoning. Acute symptoms of arsenic 

 poisoning usually take the form of a severe gastro-enteri- 

 tis. The horse appears near coUapse, trembles and suffers 

 intensely. There is vomition and active purgation, occa- 

 sionally blood is passed. The urine is also bloody when 

 passed, but may be retained. Before death there is edema 

 of dependent parts. The animal dies in coma. 



Treatment. In chronic arsenical poisoning the cause 

 should be removed and the horse given a prolonged course 

 of potassium iodid to hasten the elimination of arsenic. 



In acute poisoning the stomach tube should be used to 

 evacuate the stomach. The direct chemical antidote is 

 hydroxid of iron. To be effective this must be fresh, 

 and given in from one to two-ounce doses every fifteen 

 minutes. If this antidote is not available lime water 

 should be given in generous potions. Oils and demul- 

 cents should also be given. To relieve the intense pain 

 which the animal suffers, large doses of morphin are to 

 be given hypodermically. 



Acute arsenic poisoning in horses usually results fa- 

 tally, unless the chemical antidote is administered early 

 enough to prevent the absorption of a lethal quantity of 

 the poison. Even then the case wiU frequently terminate 

 in death from the effects of a violent gastro-enteritis. 



PoisoniDg with Mineral Acids 



Poisoning of horses with one of the mineral acids occurs 

 now and then accidentally, as a result of mis-labeling the 

 contents of bottles or mistakes in interpreting directions. 

 The most common acids used are hydrochloric, sulphuric, 

 and nitric acid. 



The symptoms of poisoning with any of these acids 

 are soreness in the mouth, dyspnea, colicky pains. The 



