LEAD SALTS 139 



sulphide; the vomitus is white from lead chloride. Three groups of 

 symptoms may be briefly tabulated, which occur to a greater or less degree 

 in chronic lead poisoning: 



DIGESTIVE SYMPTOMS. 



Lead line on gums. Anorexia. 



Colic. Thirst. 



Constipation. Abdomen retracted, or "tucked up." 



NERVOUS SYMPTOMS. 



Paralysis of tendons — extensors — Anesthesia, 



of extremities. Arthralgia. 



Animals stand on knees before. Dizziness. 



Animals stand on toes behind. Tremors. 



Convulsions. Delirium. 



General paralysis. Coma. 



Wasting of muscles. Amblyopia. 



The nervous symptoms are due to peripheral neuritis and to influence on the 

 brain and cord. 



OENEEAI, SYMPTOMS. 



Dyspned. Edema. 



Pulse accelerated. General debility. 



Emaciation. Interstitial nephritis. 



Anemia. 



Animals die in chronic poisoning from paralysis of the respiratory 

 muscleSj or in convulsions. The lead line (gray or black dotted appear- 

 ance) on the margin of the gums, at their junction with the teeth on the 

 lower jaw, is due to sulphureted hydrogen in the mouth acting upon 

 the lead deposited in the gums, .and forming lead sulphide. Chronic 

 poisoning may be very protracted, lasting as long as a year. Suscepti- 

 bility of animals varies; cattle, sheep and swine being less resistant than 

 horses. The fatal dose of lead acetate is said to be about an ounce and 

 a half for cattle, and 5 ounces for horses. The treatment consists in 

 removing the cause, relieving the symptoms and in hastening elimination. 

 Potassium iodide eliminates lead in a soluble form into the bowels and 

 kidneys. Magnesium sulphate converts lead into an insoluble sulphate 

 in the intestines and then sweeps out the salt. The stomach tube or 

 emetics should be employed in acute poisoning. Alum is the best emetic. 

 This treatment should be followed by the administration of opium and 

 Epsom salt. 



Administration. — Lead acetate is given to the larger animals in solu- 

 tion or ball; to the smaller patients in pill; to young animals in solution 

 in milk. 



Uses External.- — Lead acetate is useful in the treatment of skin dis- 

 eases, as weeping eczema and erythema, and in excoriations, blistered sur- 

 faces, bruises, strains, and burns. An efficient lotion having an astringent 

 and sedative action in such conditions, contains as follows : 



Liquoris plumbi subacetatis ,*iv. 



Tincturae opii •■ Si- 



Glycerini Sil. 



Aquae ad Oi. 



M. (Shake.) 



S. External use. 



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