POISONS AND POISONING. 57 



by malicious persons with criminal intent. The poison may also be 

 absorbed through wounds or through the skin if used as a dip or bath. 



If a large dose is given, at once acute poisoning is produced ; if 

 repeated small doses are given, chronic poisoning may result. The 

 poisonous dose for an ox is from 3 drams to 1 ounce. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of acute poisoning first appear as those 

 of colic ; the animal is restless, stamping with the feet, lying down 

 and getting up. There is tenderness on pressure over the abdomen. 

 The acute symptoms increase; in a few hours violent diarrhea is 

 developed; in many cases blood and shreds of detached mucous 

 membrane are mixed with the evacuations. There is irregular and 

 feeble pulse and respiration, and death is likely to supervene 

 between the eighteenth hour and the third day. If the latter period 

 is passed, there is a reasonable hope of recovery. 



In chronic poisoning the symptoms are similar to those of chronic 

 gastro-intestinal catarrh, with indigestion, diarrhea, and general 

 weakness and loss of condition. 



Treatment. — The antidote for arsenic is a solution of hydrated 

 oxid of iron in water. It should be prepared fresh by mixing a solu- 

 tion of sulphate of iron, made by dissolving 4 ounces of sulphate of 

 iron in one-half pint water with a suspension of 1 ounce of magnesia 

 in one-half pint water. This quantity is sufficent for one dose for a 

 cow and may be repeated in an hour, if much arsenic was taken. A 

 solution of calcined magnesia or powdered iron or iron filings or iron 

 scale from a blacksmith's forge may be given in the absence of other 

 remedies. Powdered sulphur is of some value as an antidote. One 

 must also administer protectives, such as linseed tea, barley water, 

 whites of eggs, etc. 



LEAD POISONING. 



Lead poisoning of cattle usually comes from their having licked 

 freshly painted surfaces, and thus swallowing compounds containing 

 white lead. In several instances cattle have been poisoned by silage 

 from a silo painted inside with lead paint shortly before filling. 

 Sugar of lead has been administered by mistake for Glauber's salts. 

 Lead poisoning may be acute or chronic. The fatal dose of sugar of 

 lead is from 1 to 4 ounces. Water drawn from lead pipes or held in 

 a lead-lined tank may cause poisoning. 



Symptoms. — Symptoms are generally dullness, lying down with the 

 head turned toward the flank, colic, rumbling in the abdomen, loss 

 of control of the limbs when walking, twitching, champing of the 

 jaws, moving in a circle, convulsions, delirium, violent bellowing, fol- 

 lowed by stupor and death. The symptoms generally extend over 

 considerable time, but may end in death after twenty-four hours. 



Treatment. — The treatment should first be directed toward removing 

 the cause. A large dose of purgative medicine should be given, and 



