TOXIC G ASTRO-ENTERITIS. 



227 



This form of poisoning is very rare; it has, however, been 

 observed, complicated with lead and arsenical poisoning, in the ox, 

 in the pig, and in poultry, in the neighborhood of zinc works (Gal- 

 meiwasser), and likewise within the sphere of ore furnaces. The 

 chemical toxic combinations are oxide, sulphate, carbonate and 

 silicate of zinc. 



13. Poisoning by Carbolic Acid. 



Symptoms. Diminution of appetite, salivation, vomitings, 

 diarrhea, slight colics, arched back ; dark urine, of a dirty greenish- 

 brown color (hydroquinone), containing albumin, and diffusing a 

 carbolic odor. Paresis, and paralysis of the hind quarters, or of 

 the whole body, sudden falls, trembling, anxiety, clonic and tonic 

 convulsions, stupor, coma, collapse. Lowering of the temperature, 

 acceleration of the pulse, painful irregular respiration. Nephritis 

 (presence of white and red blood-corpuscles in the urine, tube-casts). 

 Local cauterizations when the poisoning is produced by concentrated 

 solutions. 



Pathological anatomy. Hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis, scari- 

 fication of the mucous membrane ; fatty degeneration of the liver 

 and kidneys ; parenchymatous degeneration of the heart ; paren- 

 chymatous nephritis ; blood thick, black and non-coagulated ; pul- 

 monary and cerebral hyperemia, œdema of the vascular coat of the 

 brain, serous exudation in the cerebral ventricles, carbolic odor 

 exhaled by all organs. 



Treatment. We prescribe sulphates, and preferably Glauber 

 salt, which transforms phenic (carbolic) acid into phenylsulphuric 

 acid, which does not possess any toxic property ; 



Milk of lime, stimulants: ether, camphor, alcohol, coffee, and wine. 



Poisonings through carbolic acid have been noticed since this 

 agent has been used as an antiseptic. Frictions of carbolic acid, 

 creosote, tar, and of impure wood vinegar, used for parasites, cuta- 

 neous affections, etc., also the bath in which these drugs are put, 

 may determine intoxications of this character either by cutaneous 

 absorption or through ingestion when the animals lick themselves. 

 The cat is the most susceptible animal to carbolic acid : doses of 

 0.5 to 1 gramme are sufficient to kill it. The fatal dose for the dog 

 is from 2 to 5 grammes. Munk has given a horse 100 grammes of 

 carbolic acid at one time and 500 grammes within a week, without 

 producing death. 



