Alcoholic Intoxication. 147 



has passed into the circulation and tissues. The doses, however, 

 should in any case be small to avoid the sudden solution of a 

 large amount of lead which had been deposited in the tissues in a 

 comparatively insoluble form. The sudden entrance into the cir- 

 culation of any large amount of such lead would induce a prompt 

 return of the toxic symptoms. A continuous exhibition of small 

 doses is the course of wisdom and safety. The bowels should 

 meanwhile be kept somewhat relaxed by small doses of sodium 

 or magnesium sulphate. As a general tonic a course of bitters 

 may be called for, especially when torpor or emaciation is pro- 

 nounced. 



AI^COHOIylC INTOXICATION. 



Beer in pigs, alcohol in dogs, absinthe in horse, alcohol and burnt ales in 

 cows, alcoholized grain in fowls, also fermented raisins. . Symptoms, lack 

 of coordination, staggering, flushed mucosae, full pulse, stertor, sopor, coma, 

 alcoholic breath, chill, muscular twitching, delirium. Treatment : ammonia 

 acetate, or carbonate, apomorphia, pilocarpin, warm water, coffee, stomach 

 pump, electricity. 



Poisoning by alcohol is less common in the lower animals than 

 in man, yet the veterinary journals record a considerable number 

 of cases. We have seen pigs suffer from drinking soured beer ; 

 the smaller breeds of dogs (English terriers) which are systemat- 

 ically dwarfed by feeding alcohol are often kept for a length of 

 time in a condition of semi-intoxication. Bissauge records the 

 case of a horse inebriated by a glass of absinthe and a pint of 

 white wine, and that of a cow which died intoxicated 24 hours 

 after she had been given thtee quarts of pure alcohol (Rec. de 

 Med. Vet. 1895). Dundas records intoxication in cows fed on 

 burnt ales. Intoxication of barnyard fowl and wild birds from 

 eating grain soaked in strong alcoholic liquids has been frequent- 

 ly noticed, and Bissauge reports fatal drunkenness among our 

 domestic fowls from eating raisins and other fruits which had 

 undergone fermentation. 



■ The symptoms are too suggestive to require notice in detail. 

 There is a lack of coordination of movement, a staggering gait, a 

 disposition to lie, dilated pupils, dark red flushing of the visible 

 mucous membranes, a full pulse, stertorous respirations, drowsi- 



