338 VETERINARY STATE BOARD 



Toxicology 



Mention three poisons, stating the antidote for each. 



1. Corrosive sublimate : Antidote, egg-albumin. 



2. Arsenic : Antidote, freshly prepared hydrated oxide of iron. 



3. Phosphorus : Antidote, sulphate of copper. 



What is the difference between antagonists and antidotes? Give an 

 example of each. 



Antagonists are agents which counteract each other in their 

 physiological actions; for example, strychnine antagonizes the de- 

 pressing effect of chloral hydrate on the heart. In this respect all 

 antagonists are physiological antidotes. 



Antidotes are agents which counteract the effects of a poison and 

 render it harmless. They are classified as chemical, mechanical, and 

 physiological, according to their method of action. Chemical anti- 

 dotes change the composition of the drug, as starch given in poison- 

 ing by iodine forms the iodide of starch, which is insoluble and inert. 

 Mechanical antidotes surround the poison and protect the tissues 

 from its action, as egg-albumin protects the tissues from corrosive 

 agents. Physiological antidotes antagonize the action of the poison. 



Give the symptoms of arsenic poisoning. Name the best chemical 

 antidote for arsenic poisoning. 



Acute arsenical poisoning is shown by retching, vomiting, thirst, 

 purging, bloody stools, colicky pains, gastro-enteritis, rapid weak 

 heart, haematuria, subnormal temperature, general oedema, delirium, 

 collapse, coma, and death. 



Chronic form is characterized by indigestion, thirst, cachexia, 

 enlargement of joints, chronic eczema, and necrosis of bones. 



The best chemical antidote for arsenic poisoning is the freshly- 

 prepared hydrated sesquioxide of iron. 



Name an antidote for Paris green and tell hovir it should be adminis- 

 tered. 



Same as arsenic (the poisonous action of Paris green is due to the 

 arsenic it contains). The antidote should be given every fifteen 

 minutes in doses of 30 ounces to the horse, 40 ounces to cattle, and 

 1 ounce to dogs, until relief is obtained. 



What precautions are necessary in the treatment of skin diseases of 



smaller animals? " 



Care should be taken to avoid poisonous drugs or any drugs in 



large amounts because of the danger of absorption and also the 



danger of the animal licking the medicine off. Coal-tar products 



