588 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



PoisouiNQ IN Horses. 



In writing this chapter I have consulted chiefly : Murrell's " What 

 to do in Cases of Poisoning,'' Finlay Dun's " Veterinary Medicines," 

 and Whitla's " Dictionary of Treatment." 



Only the most usual poisons which are given tO' the horse, 

 maliciously or by misadventure, will be considered. 



In all- cases, no time should be lost in applying the available 

 remedies ; for, here, time is all important. 



Acids, Mineral. 



Under this heading are included those extremely corrosive 

 poisons, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, and hydrochloric acid. 



SYMPTOMS. — Great abdominal pain ; mucous membrane of 

 mouth inflamed and swollen, and probably stained by yellow, 

 brown, or black patches. In cases of poisoning by nitric or 

 hydrochloric acid, the breath may have the characteristic odour of 

 the particular acid. Great depression ; pulse small, rapid, and in 

 bad cases irregular ; violent thirst with great difficulty (or total 

 inability) in swallowing. There is often difficulty in brfeathing. 

 The patient may die quickly, or succumb after several days or 

 weeks from ulceration or perforation of the stomach or intestines. 



TREATMENT. — Give large draughts of soap (say, a couple of 

 pounds of yellow or unmedicated toilet) and water ; a solution of 

 baking soda (say 2 lbs.) and a gallon of water ; fluid magnesia, of 

 which a quart or more may be given ; chalk and water ; washing 

 soda (which is not as suitable as baking soda) ; plaster scraped 

 off wails and mixed with water ; linseed, olive or other sweet oil 

 (say two or three quarts) ; 5 lbs. or 6 lbs. of butter, or, in India, 



