POISONS AND POISONING. 61 



If death is not caused soon, the irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract 

 and malnutrition will last for a long time. Treatment consists in 

 neutralizing the alkali by an acid, such as dilute sulphuric acid (1 

 per cent) or strong vinegar. The administration of such an antidote 

 and its action must be carefully watched during administration. In 

 the chemical change which takes place when the acid and alkali are 

 combined, carbonic-acid gas is liberated, which may be to an extent 

 sufficient to cause considerable distention of the abdomen, even to 

 asphyxia from pressure forward on the diaphragm. Should this dan- 

 ger present itself, it may be averted by opening the left flank, permit- 

 ting the gas to escape. (See "Acute tympanites, or Bloating," p. 24.) 

 Treatment. — Flaxseed or slippery-elm decoction must be given to 

 soothe the inflamed mucous surface. Opium may be used to allay 

 pain. 



COAL-OIL POISONING. 



Coal oil is sometimes administered empirically as a treatment for 

 intestinal parasites. If given in large doses it produces poisonous 

 effects, which are likely to be manifest some time after the adminis- 

 tration. It acts as an irritant to the digestive tract, causing dribbling 

 of ropy saliva from the mouth, diarrhea, tenesmus, and loss of appe- 

 tite, with increased temperature and cold extremities. Visible mucous 

 membranes are injected, pupils of the eyes contracted, watery dis- 

 charge from the eyes and nostrils. Remotely it exerts a depressing 

 influence on the functions of the brain and slight coma, and occasion- 

 ally convulsions, from which the animal is easily aroused. The 

 kidneys also suffer. The urine is dark colored and has the charac- 

 teristic odor of coal oil. Death may result from gastro-enteritis or 

 convulsions. 



Treatment. — The patient's strength should be fostered by the fre- 

 quent administration of mild stimulants, of which aromatic spirits of 

 ammonia is perhaps the best. The animal should be encouraged to 

 eat soft food and given mucilaginous drinks. 



Crude coal oil is sometimes applied to the skin to kill parasites. If 

 too much is used, especially in hot weather, great weakness and depres- 

 sion may be caused and in some cases death may result. 



CARBOLIC-ACID POISONING. 



Although one of the most valuable antiseptic remedies, carbolic acid 

 in a concentrated form, when taken internally or used over a large 

 surface externally, is likely to produce poisonous effects. It causes 

 whitening, shrinking, and numbness of the structures with which it 

 comes in contact, and, besides its irritant effect, exerts a powerful 

 influence on the nervous system. Being readily absorbed, it produces 

 its effect whether swallowed, injected into the rectum, inhaled, or 

 applied to wounds, or even to a large tract of unbroken skin. Used 



