no SISKASES OF EKXSa. 



Against the malicious poisoner it is difficult to guard, as heing 

 rarely forewarned, we cannot be forearmed; against the ignorant 

 practices of the empiric the dog-owner can defend himself if he will ; 

 while against accidental poisoning much can be done by using 

 reasonable care when it is necessary to employ poisons, and by 

 keeping them properly labelled and in secure places when not 

 required. 



It may be of service to some readers to briefly refer to a few of the 

 commoner and more popularly known poisons from which our dogs 

 are most likely to suffer ; and I think the following will cover the 

 majority of cases : Arsenic, cantharides, carbolic acid, corrosive 

 subUmate, phosphorus, and strychnine. 



As a general rule for distinguishing between the evidence of 

 poisoning and the symptoms of disease, the suddenness of the attack 

 must weigh largely ; while by tracing where the dog has been, and 

 what he has or is likely to have picked up, a pretty accurate con- 

 clusion may be arrived at. 



The first step to be taken in most cases is to freely empty the 

 stomach by means of emetics such as tartar emetic, sulphate of ziuc, 

 ipecacuanha wine, or, if none of these are at hand, by drenching 

 with lukewarm water, and afterwards giving the antidotes indicated, 

 if procurable. Under any circumstances, however, give demulcenfa, 

 such as boiled flour and milk, starch, gruel, milk and eggs beaten 

 up, olive oU, etc., in considerable quantities. A dose of castor oil 

 may also be administered, and, if the dog suffer much paia, a dose 

 of opium or laudanum every three or four hours. Where great 

 depression and weakness follow, stimulants, as ether, wine, or brandy, 

 should be given in small quantities at frequent intervals. . 



Arsenic is used in wheat-dressing, as well as to poison rats, 

 mice, and other vermin ; in this way it is frequently met with in 

 and about country houses. 



Symptoms: Great heat and evident pain in the stomach and 

 bowels, sometimes accompanied with swelling — the belly being very 

 tender to the touch — great thirst, frequent vomiting and retching, 

 more or less discharge of a frothy saliva, and frequent evacuations 

 of fluid, dark coloured matter, often marked with blood. The animal 

 soon loses muscular power to a great extent, shovring an indisposition 

 to move ; the tongue, lips, etc. , are red and swoUen, and the breath- 

 ing is more and more laboured and painful. 



Antidotes: Ferrugo or hydiated sesquioxide of iron, 12 parts of 

 which combine with 1 part of arsenic, forming an insoluble com- 

 pound ; also Eght magnesia, which will remove l-25th its weight of 

 arsenic from its solution in water. 



Cantharides (Spanish. Fly). — This is given by ignorant mes 



