114 SWINE PRACTICE 



which death takes place i)robably due to asphyxiation and cardiac 

 failure. 



Treatment. — Treatment consists in administering the antidotes of 

 atropin; emetics and purgatives; in stimulating the heart, and in 

 resorting to artificial respiration. If there are periods of excite- 

 ment, or convulsions, the animal should be given sedatives. A valu- 

 able aid in correctly diagnosing deadly nightshade poisoning consists 

 in taking a few drops of urine of the dead animal and dropping it 

 into the conjunctival sac of a normal or healthy animal. If the 

 poisoning is due to atropin, or deadly nightshade, a dilatation of 

 the pupil will occur. 



The carcasses of animals that have died of deadly nightshade 

 poisoning putrify very slowly. 



Garbage 



This is the time of conservation, and although the feeding of 

 garbage to swine is not good sanitation, it is a means of utilizing 

 products that would otherwise be wasted. 



In the past rather extensive losses from garbage feeding have 

 been reported, but since the advent of anti-hog cholera serum it 

 has been found that many of the cases formerly reported as garbage 

 poisoning were hog cholera, and it is certain that garbage frequentlj' 

 is contaminated with the virus of hog cholera. 



Garbage poisoning does not signify any one definite kind of pois- 

 oning. From the vai-ious reports of investigators it is found that 

 powdered soap, sa't, brine, phosphorus, and arsenic are the most 

 common active causes, although occasionally no doubt ptomaines 

 are a factor. Because of the nature of the poisonous substance, 

 cooking the garbage is of little value. 



Lesiovs. — The lesions of garbage poisoning vary and are dependent 

 upon the specific poisonous principle. In practically all cases there 

 is evidence of gastro-enteritis, which may or may not be associated 

 with hepatitis, nephritis, or cystitis. In some instances, for example, 

 those cases dying of strychnin poisoning, no lesions will be found. 



Sijnvptoiiis. — The symptom.s like th? lesions, are viriabV and depend 

 upon the nature of the poison. There is usually vomition and diar- 

 rhea, associated with listlessness and drooped ears and tail, and as 

 a rule there is marked evidence of colic. The affected animals may 

 die suddenly or they may linger for several days; some of them may 

 recover. 



