STRYCHNINE SULPHATE 407 



The lethal dose for dogs has been set at gr-i'S^'-i 

 (Kaufmann). This is much too large, as evidenced by the 

 experiment mentioned above. The fatal amount varies 

 greatly in accordance with the weight of an animal ; probably 

 less than gr.-^ would kill toy terriers, and cases are reported 

 where they have been destroyed by gr.-^ of the alkaloid. 

 The therapeutic dose should therefore be proportioned as 

 advised, to the weight of the animal. Five to eight grains 

 of nux vomica will kill dogs. 



The minimum fatal dose of strychnine for man is one- 

 half a grain. Usually four to seven grains constitute a 

 lethal quantity, but recovery has ensued following the inges- 

 tion of 22 grains, after a full meal. 



Horses. — The toxic symptoms in horses resemble those 

 already described in the dog. They do not appear for some 

 time (20 minutes to 6 hours), depending on the rapidity of 

 absorption when the drug is swallowed, and include excite- 

 ment, muscular spasm and convulsions, increased frequency 

 of the pulse, and difficult respiration. Death occurs in con- 

 vulsions or in the interim between them. The minimum 

 fatal dose of strychnine, when given under the skin, is about 

 l^ to 3 grains, and when swallowed, 3 to 5 grains of the 

 alkaloid, or 1 to 2 ounces of nux vomica. 



Oatile are similarly affected with horses and dogs. 

 There are exhibited muscular spasms, frequent pulse, diffi- 

 cult respiration, sensitiveness to light, sounds and external 

 stimuli, protrusion of the eye-balls and convulsions. The 

 fatal dose, by the month, varies greatly owing to difficulty 

 of absorption in the complicated and capacious digestive 

 apparatus of these ruminants. This is true of all medicines. 

 When given under the skin, the lethal dose is a little larger 

 than that for horses. The fatal dose for swine is said to be 

 from gr.|-gr.|. Chickens are comparatively insusceptible; 

 also guinea pigs and some monkeys. 



Strychnine poisoning differs from tetanus in the fact 

 that muscular rigidity is continuous in the latter, but disau- 

 pears to a considerable degree, if not completely, in the 



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