206 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



Symptoms. Within a few hours after the substances 

 have been ingested slight colicky pains develop. These 

 are followed by a profuse diarrhoea, which is at first com- 

 posed of fluid feces, later of clear liquid. The evacua- 

 tions emit the odor of the particular lead-containing 

 vehicle, usually oil. At the end of from twenty-four to 

 forty-eight hours the animal appears in a state of coUapse. 

 The pulse is imperceptible, the integument cold and 

 clammy. There are in some eases, crepitating areas 

 under the skin, on various parts of the body. The horse 

 now prefers to stand fixedly in one spot. When forced 

 to move, the action resembles that of laminitis. 



If proper treatment is not promptly given, death comes 

 at the end of two or three days after the lead-containing 

 substance has been eaten. Before death occurs there are 

 edematous areas in the extremities, and varying degrees 

 of paralysis in some groups of muscles. The symptoms 

 described appear in various modifications depending upon 

 the amount of lead contained in the ingested substance. 



Treatment. If the animal comes into the veterina- 

 rian's hands within a few hours after the poison has 

 been eaten, the stomach tube may be used. From one to 

 three ounces of magnesium sulphate is to be administered 

 in watery solution every twenty or thirty minutes until a 

 pound has been given. This is the most satisfactory an- 

 tidote, chemically. Later a mixture of tincture of cap- 

 sicum one dram, tincture of opium one ounce, is to be 

 given to check the purgation. If necessary this dose may 

 be repeated in an hour. The animal should be blanketed 

 and quartered in a warm place. Exhaustion is counter- 

 acted with alcohol, brandy, port wine, or strychnin. 



When the acute symptoms have been controlled, the 

 animal should receive a course of iodid of potassium. 



Some of these cases become progressively worse and 

 die in spite of anything that may be done. The diarrhoea 



