56 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



antidotes may sometimes be used for special poisons, as advised 

 below. In general, if an acid has been taken it may be neutralized 

 with an alkali, such as chalk, magnesia, bicarbonate of soda (baking 

 soda), ammonia (diluted), or soap. If the poison is an alkali, such 

 as caustic soda or potash (lye), or ammonia, an acid, such as diluted 

 (1 per cent) sulphuric acid or vinegar, may be administered. Special 

 treatments and antidotes are considered below. 



A poisonous agent may be so gradually introduced into the system 

 as to slowly develop the power of resistance against its own action. 

 In other cases, where the poison is introduced slowly, the poisonous 

 action becomes cumulative, and although there is no increase in the 

 quantity taken, violent symptoms are suddenly developed, as if the 

 whole amount, the consumption of which may have extended over a 

 considerable period, had been given in one dose. Other agents, 

 poisonous in their nature, tend to deteriorate some of the important 

 organs and, interfering with their natural functions, are productive of 

 conditions of ill health which, although not necessarily fatal, are 

 important. Such a class might properly be called chronic poisons. 

 Poisons of themselves dangerous when administered in large doses 

 are used medicinally for curative purposes, and a very large percent- 

 age of the pharmaceutical preparations used in the practice of medi- 

 cine if given in excessive quantities might produce serious results. 

 In the administration of medicines, therefore, care should be exer- 

 cised not only that the animal is not poisoned by the administration 

 of an excessive dose, but that injury is not done by continued treat- 

 ment with medicines the administration of which is not called for. 



MINERAL POISONS. 

 ARSENIC POISONING. 



Of the common irritant and corrosive poisons, arsenic, especially 

 one of its compounds (Paris green, Scheel's green, or cobalt), is likely 

 to be the most dangerous to our class of patients. The common prac- 

 tice of using Paris green as an insecticide for the destruction of potato 

 beetle and other insect enemies of the farmer and fruit grower has 

 had the effect of introducing it into almost all farming establish- 

 ments. White arsenic is also a principal ingredient in many of the 

 popular sheep-dipping preparations, and poisoning from this source 

 occasionally takes place when, after dipping, the flock are allowed 

 to run in a yard in which there is loose fodder. The drippings from 

 the wool of the sheep falling on the fodder render it poisonous, and 

 dangerous to animal life if eaten. Familiarity with its use has in 

 many instances tended to breed contempt for its potency as a poison. 

 Rat poisons often contain arsenic. The excessive use of arsenic as a 

 tonic, or of "condition powders" containing arsenic, has been the 

 means of poisoning many animals. This is the common poison used 



