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splinters of bullets, which are scattered about near rifle targets. In the pure 
metallic form lead appears to be devoid of poisonous properties, and it is well 
known that in the form of shot it is used by dealers of questionable principles 
to alleviate the symptoms of broken wind in horses they have for sale. 
In some instances, lead poisoning has been due to boiling food-in vessels 
used for containing lead preparations. It is known also that lead may be 
absorbed by water conducted through pipes of this metal, and this is more 
especially likely to be the case when the water is highly oxygenated, or 
contains organic matter or certain gases. | Lead poisoning in horses may be 
acute, when it is spoken of as saturnine epilepsy, a disease in which stupor, 
Aelirium, or convulsions are manifested, or it may be chronic. 
HELLEBORE POISONING. 
HELLEBORE poisoning was some years ago very common, this drug forming, 
one of the most common ingredients of the powders and balls of stablemen 
and quacks. Even now, cases of poisoning by this dangerous drug are not 
rare. It is supposed by grooms to have a valuable alterative effect, but the 
‘idea is a mistake. In acase recently under our notice, two drachms of the 
powdered hellebore root were given by the groom to a carriage horse. 
When called in to see this animal, the writer found the head protruded. The 
pulse was much accelerated, and varied from go to 100 beats per minute, the 
respirations were much quickened, the extremities were deathly cold, and 
there were marked nausea, and frequent attempts at vomiting. The appetite 
was completely lost for forty-eight hours, after which it gradually returned, 
and the animal made a slow but complete recovery. 
The late Mr. D. Gresswell saw a large number of cases of hellebore 
poisoning at different times, and in some, actual vomiting took place. This 
occurrence, as is well known, is rare in the horse. Hellebore poisoning is 
frequently mistaken for choking by the uninitiated ; but the history of the 
case—when that is to be obtained—and the character of the pulse will at 
once distinguish it from this accident. 
On March 6th, 1886, we were asked to see a heavy draught-horse said 
to be choking. The symptoms observed by the owner had supervened 
three hours after the administration of a ball containing a large quantity of 
hellebore (Veratrum album). It is almost needless to add that on our 
-arrival, nothing whatever was told us concerning the ball which had been 
given for the purpose of curing the grease, from which the animal was 
suffering. This information was elicited by close cross-questioning. In this 
way it was discovered that the balls had been procured from a chemist. The 
animal was retching continually, but there was no actual vomition. The 
pulse was very irregular and feeble, and numbered eighty-six beats in the 
minute. The respirations were sixty-eight. The symptoms had gradually, 
‘been. becoming more severe, until when death seemed imminent, help was 
sought.. Three,ounces of whiskey, together with three ounces of solution of 
carbonate of ammonium, were ordered to be given every hour for six times, 
