112 SWINE PRACTICE 



such impure calomel in the preparation of specialties or when pre- 

 scribed as such is likely to be followed by serious .results. Several 

 instances have been reported of losses of swine due to corrosive 

 sublimate poisoning where the animals had been medicated with 

 vermifuge capsules containing commercial calomel. 



Lesions. — The lesions produced by bichlorid of mercury consist 

 of an intense inflammation of the mucosa and intestine. The dis- 

 tance the lesions extend in the intestine will depend upon the quan- 

 tity of the bichlorid consumed. The inflamed areas will be red and 

 there may be hemorrhagic areas due to the erosive action of the 

 drug. If la,rge quantities of the poison are consumed, there may be 

 erosion of the entire stomach wall, thus producing perforation. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms evidenced are colicky pains, vomition, 

 purgation, trembling and muscular weakness. If there has been 

 perforation, symptoms of peritonitis will develop, but the animal 

 usually succumbs before peritonitis is well established. 



Treatment. — Prevent further posioning by removing the cause. 

 If the affected animals have recently developed the symptoms, an 

 effective emetic should be given at once. Apomorphin in one-fourth- 

 grain doses given intramuscularly, or ipecac given in a capsule 

 usually produces vomition promptly. When the stomach has been 

 emptied by vomition, albuminous drinks should be given for they 

 will not only soothe the irritated mucosa but also will cause the 

 formation of an insoluble albuminate of mercury, thus rendering 

 the corrosive sublimate inert. Sweet milk or the white of egg are 

 suitable for this purpose. 



If the animals have been affected for several hours, emetics are 

 not indicated, for the bichlorid will have exerted its action in the 

 stomach and the portion of the drug that has passed into the intestine 

 cannot be eliminated by an emetic. Such cases should be given 

 albuminous drinks at once and a purgative, preferably epsom salts, 

 should be administered. Potassium iodid in 10-15 grain doses given 

 every three hours will be found of \alue in overcoming the after- 

 effects of the poison. Stimulants should be used if there is mus- 

 cular weakness. 



XanthiiuH Canudcnse (Cocklehiir) 



Cocklebur poisoning prevails more or less extensively in the Mis- 

 souri Valley during the early spring months. Just as the two cotyle- 

 dons push through the ground is the only time in the development 



