VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL POISONS 601 



poisonous animal food or the meat of diseased animals. We shall investigate 

 particularly that form produced by the ingestion of decomposed meat of any 

 kind. This we usually designate as alantiasis or botulism. This form is the 

 most important, as it is the one most frequently observed by the physician. 



We must distinguish three quite different clinical forms: (a) That form 

 which presents predominant paralytic symptoms; (&) that form running its 

 course with symptoms of atomatropin poisoning; (c) that form running its 

 course with symptoms of gastroenteritis. The ingestion of decomposed sausage, 

 in particular, causes the second form, while the ingestion of liver and kidney 

 causes the gastroenteritic symptoms. 



The affection is always to be regarded as serious ; the mortality is very high. 



The treatment must be in accordance with the form of the intoxication. 

 In any case, the immediate washing out of the stomach is always in place. 

 The treatment of the second form is the same as that of fish poisoning, while 

 in the third form the treatment of gastroenteritis, repeatedly mentioned, is 

 here of the utmost importance. In conclusion it must be borne in mind that 

 other foods also, such as milk and cheese, may be the cause of similar poisoning, 

 and poisoning after the ingestion of foods containing vanillin may be included 

 in this category. 



