poisoning. 259 



rather than decompose. Carbolic acid may be safely re- 

 sorted to as an external application for dogs in the form 

 of ordinary carbolic soap, or the following preparation, 

 suggested by Broad of Bath, may be used. Take, of No. 5 

 carbolic acid and of soft soap equal parts, and of water 

 one pint to the ounce of both of the ingredients. Boil the 

 pint of water until the ounce of soap dissolves, and then 

 add the ounce of acid, and, as soon as the boiling point is 

 again reached, set aside ; dilute to 1 — 40 for local appli- 

 cation, to 1 — 50 for general application, for dogs. The 

 same writer recommends in cases of carbolic poisoning 

 continuous application of cold water by means of a water- 

 ing pot with the rose on, until the convulsions cease 

 ('Veterinary Journal, 1 vol. iv, p. 261). The skin should 

 be thoroughly cleansed with cold water and hard soap, 

 or oil well rubbed over the surface ; stimulants should be 

 given internally.* 



Tobacco Water and Hellebore solutions used externally in 

 skin diseases may be similarly absorbed or ingested, and 

 cause serious depression or even death. Such agents 

 should be used only when the animal can be kept under 

 close supervision, where the skin is not much abraded, 

 and when a leather or perforated tin muzzle can be 

 applied. If the animal seems depressed or vomits, he 

 should be at once thoroughly washed in a cold bath, 

 which will prevent absorption and thoroughly dilute the 

 poison. Meecuey compounds, such as the Unguentum Hy- 

 drargyri, when licked in, may give rise to acute ulceration 

 of the bowels, with profuse diarrhoea and bloody evacua- 

 tions, prostration, and death. Eczema niercuriale is an 

 effect of ingestion of mercury, or its incautious use exter- 

 nally, which has been especially noticed by Gamgee. 

 The animal is dull, off feed, breath and skin secretions 

 offensive, and profuse salivation is also present. The 

 hair falls off in herpetic patches, found especially inside 



* Kunde in carbolic poisoning gives castor-oil with some aromatic stimu- 

 lant and saccliaratc of calcium. His formula is — water, 50 parts; sugar, 

 15 parts ; slated lime, 5 parts. Mix, and shake every half hour for soma 

 time (« Gaz. Med. Vet./ 1874). 



