TOXIC GASTBO-ENTEBITIS. 



217 



7. Arsenical Poisoning, (a.) Acute Intoxication, 



Symptoms. These are similar to those of gastro-enteritis : 

 vomitings, salivation, intermittent colics, constipation, meteorism 

 (in the ox), fetid diarrhea, and bloody excrements. 



In ruminants we sometimes observe a painful tumefaction of the 

 inferior abdominal region, formation of abscess and fistula of the 

 abomasum, and even hernia of this organ ; fistula of the reticulum 

 (Detroye) is rare. To these signs are added nervous troubles : 

 paralysis, staggering walk, trembling, weakness, stupidity, dilata- 

 tion of the pupil, etc. The pulse is very much accelerated, small 

 and hardly perceptible, the temperature of the body is irregularly 

 distributed ; the respiration is often accelerated and painful. There 

 is albuminuria. 



When the poison has penetrated through an exterior wound, the 

 region is much tumefied. Arsenical baths produce dermatitis of 

 variable intensity, accompanied by the symptoms which have just 

 been mentioned. 



The duration of this intoxication varies from a few hours to 

 several days. 



Pathological anatomy. Corrosive gastro-enteritis with red- 

 ness, tumefaction, ecchymoses, erosions, and ulcerations of the 

 mucous membrane of the stomach, and especially of the abomasum. 

 Sometimes we detect the perforation of the abomasum and of the 

 abdominal wall. Fatty degeneration of the different parenchy- 

 matous organs: liver, loins, heart, and brain. Numerous ecchy- 

 moses upon the endocardium. 



Treatment. The principal and officinal antidote is the liquor 

 of sulphate of iron, 100 parts ; water, 200 parts ; add calcined 

 magnesia and water, 250 parts ; hydrate of the oxide of iron^ forms 

 with the arsenic an insoluble combination. 



For the dog, the dose of this antidote is a tablespoon ful every 

 fifteen minutes ; for pigs and small ruminants several tablespoon- 

 fuls ; for the horse and ox, a quarter of a litre to one litre. A 

 simple aqueous solution of calcined magnesia (1 : 20) also produces 



1 The hydrate of iron can also be obtained in the following manner : Dissolve 100 

 grammes of common suiphate of iron in 400 grammes of water, then add 20 grammes 

 of concentrated sulphuric acid ; boil the mixture in a stone jar, and add nitric acid as 

 long as any red vapors are seen. Let the preparation cool, then dilute it with thirty 

 times its weight of water, and precipitate with carbonate of soda. — n. d. t. 



