264 THE DISEASES OP THE DOG. 



subsequently been found running about the room, having 

 expelled the poison by vomition, or outlived its sedative 

 action. It is wonderful how long an animal may have 

 been apparently dead from prussic acid poisoning, and yet 

 be revived under the influence of ammonia. 



Snake-bite is a form of poisoning sometimes seen in 

 England from the viper and adder, but it is very common 

 abroad, and proves rapidly fatal. The dog suffers great 

 distress and rapid decomposition of the blood ; the injured 

 parts swell, and all control over them is lost ; convulsions 

 early set in. The best treatment is ligature by tourniquet 

 above the punctures if a limb is injured, prompt cauteri- 

 sation if possible, or local and general administration of 

 Liquor Ammonias, full doses of the agent being given half- 

 hourly. Cold affusions and artificial respiration may prove 

 of benefit. It has been proved that if artificial respira- 

 tion be kept up long enough, the action of curara, wourali, 

 or the Indian arrow-head poison, whereby it paralyses 

 the respiratory centre, will pass off, and the animal's life 

 be preserved. This poison has the remarkable power of 

 paralysing the motorial apparatus in such a way that the 

 animal suffering from it, if operated on, has no power of 

 showing its agony by movement. It is expressly for- 

 bidden to be considered an anaesthetic under the Act for 

 the regulation of vivisection. 



The stings of wasps, tees, hornets, and other insects may 

 even prove fatal to dogs, and hunting dogs are especially 

 liable to suffer from accidentally disturbing nests of these 

 creatures. Water affords the best means of escape, dense 

 smoke also keeps off the irritated insects, a thick bush 

 may afford some defence. Indigo in the form of vege- 

 table blue-ball (as used for domestic purpose's) is con- 

 sidered an excellent application for wasp and bee bites ; 

 ammonia locally and generally is required in some cases, 

 carron oil will be found useful in others, but often, espe- 

 cially when a hornet's nest has been disturbed, the dog 

 will die before assistance can be rendered. 



