214 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



The course is very rapid ; death occurs between the sixth and 

 twelfth hours. 



Pathological anatomy. The lesions of acute gastro-enteritis 

 are particularly marked in the abomasum of the ruminant. The 

 blood is liquid and vermilion in color ; ecchymoses are found in 

 the various organs. The mucous membrane of the bladder is red. 

 Inflammatory alterations exist in the different intestinal compart- 

 ments, especially when the poisoning is due to brine. We also 

 find cerebral hyperemia as well as serous exudation into the cere- 

 bral ventricles and meniuges. 



Treatment. Abundaut drinks : mucilages, oils, and stimulants 

 (ether in subcutaneous injections, camphor, wine, etc.) ; also nar- 

 cotics, when the excitement is very pronounced. 



Drewien recommends hydrate of chloral and oil (2 : 60) for pigs 

 that have been poisoned with brine. 



In our domestic animals chloride of sodium is frequently used as 

 a condiment and as a remedy in cases of digestive troubles ; thus 

 the poisonings caused by these salts are very frequent. 



Death is due to gastro-enteritis and to the paralyzing action of 

 the sodium. Fatal doses: for the ox, 3 to 6 kilogrammes; for the 

 horse, 1 to 1.50 kilogrammes; for the pig, 250 grammes; for the 

 dog, 3.7 per kilogramme of body- weight. 



Intoxications from brine are also very common ; they are espe- 

 cially observed in hogs fed with all kinds of salted kitchen waste; 

 they are sometimes determined by the injection of food prepared in 

 barrels that have been used in the transportation of herrings, or 

 through the administration of herring-brine used to check a gastro- 

 intestinal affection. The water of salted or smoked meat, found in 

 pork-butchers' shops, may produce poisoning in young dogs and 

 pigs. The difference of action which exists between sea-salt and 

 brine depends mainly upon the nitrate which is added to the latter ; 

 but the cerebral symptom caused by the brine can only be explained 

 by the intervention of a specific narcotic poison acting upon the 

 cerebellum and medulla oblongata, and which belongs to the 

 ptomaine group (see Mycotic Enteritis). 



4. Poisoning by Sulphate of Soda. 



Symptoms. Colics, intense thirst, watery diarrhea, disappear- 

 ance of peristaltic movements, paralytic condition, and increasing 

 weakness. Death within a few days. 



