POISONING 173 



Arsenic 



Arsenic, or rather arsenious acid (arsenic trioxid), 

 is one of the commonest of vermin poisons, and 

 dogs are frequently poisoned on that account. Dogs 

 may also become poisoned by the arsenic in an 

 overdose of Fowler's solution given for medicinal 

 purposes. 



The toxic dose of arsenic is two grains. Arsenic 

 is a corrosive irritant, producing gastroenteritis, 

 with its corresponding effects. ^ 



Arsenical poisoning may be either acute or sub- 

 acute. 



Symptoms of Acute Arsenical Poisoning. — About 

 an hour after ingestion there suddenly appears 

 profuse salivation, swallowing movements, and great 

 thirst. The patient is restless and anxious, with 

 convulsive action of the lips, acute colicky pains, 

 and vomiting. There is great pain over the epi- 

 gastric region, and intolerance to pressure. At 

 first there is constipation, which later on gives 

 way to a fetid dysentery. The pulse at first is full, 

 but soon becomes small, irregular, and impercepti- 

 ble; respiration is difficult, urine scanty and often 

 bloody, and the temperature is subnormal and the 

 extremities cold. Later on rigors set in, with 

 weakness and paresis, the gait is staggering, the 

 pupils dilated. The pain is excruciating, and the 

 animal dies in a state of collapse in from four to 

 five hours. 



Symptoms of Subacute Arsenical Poisoning. — There 

 are much the same as in the acute form, but not 

 so violent. There is dryness of the mouth, great 

 thirst, colicky pains, vomiting, fetid diarrhea, and 

 tympanites. The mucous membranes are pale, 

 the pulse irregular but frequent^ the urine scanty. 

 These symptoms may persist for about twenty-four 



