286 DISEASES OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS 
POTASSIUM CYANIDE 
Lethal dose. 1 to 2 grains. 
Toxic dose. 40 to % grains. 
Experiments. (1) February 20, 1918, 10.15 a.m. Gave fowl a 
2 grain crystal of potassium cyanide per os. Symptoms appeared in 
4 minutes. Fowl had difficulty in maintaining its balance. 
Dropped to the floor. After several minutes it fluttered around the 
cage for about five seconds, went down again, became comatose and 
was dead in 12 minutes after swallowing the cyanide. 
(2) February 20, 10.30 a.m. Gave fowl a 1 grain crystal of 
potassium cyanide per os. Symptoms appeared in 2 minutes. 
Fowl became droopy, stood for several minutes with head dropped 
to floor (limber neck), fell to floor in a comatose state and was dead 
13 minutes after swallowing the cyanide. Did not struggle at any 
time. 
(3) July 8, 1918, 2 p.m. Gave fowl a % grain erystal of po- 
tassium cyanide per os. 2.02 p.m. Fowl jumped suddenly strik- 
ing top of cage. Stands very erect. Breathing more rapidly. 
Mouth open. 2.05 P.M. Unsteady on legs. Wings drooped. Dis- 
tressed expression. 2.20 p.m. Fowl lying down. Continues 
breathing through mouth. 3p.m. Sameasabove. Fowl can stand 
when forced up. 42.™M. Fowl has recovered. 
(4) February 28, 10.15 a.m. Gave fowl 4% grain of potassium 
cyanide in gelatin capsule per os. 10.23 a.m. Fowl breathing rap- 
idly through the mouth. 10.25 a.m. Wings drooping. Has at- 
tempted to pass droppings four times, each time a very small amount 
has been passed. 10.45 .4.m. Same as above. Getting sleepy. 11 
A.M. Same as above. Sleepy. 12 m. No change except that 
breathing is not as rapid. 1.30 p.m. Fowl has recovered. 
(5) August 12, 2.23 p.m. Gave 3 pound fowl 40 grain potas- 
sium cyanide in small piece per os. 2.26 y.m. Breathing rapidly. 
2.30 p.m. Sitting. 3 p.m. Has depressed appearance. Drowsy. 
Half sitting posture on being placed on feet. Sits again. Breath- 
ing not so rapid. 3.45 p.m. Standing. Some droopiness appar- 
ent. Breathing is normal and fowl is recovering. 4.30 P. m. Ap- 
parently normal. August 13, 9 a.m. Fowl is apparently normal. 
POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE 
Lethal dose. 30 grains. 
Toxic dose. 380 grains. 
