252 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



of hydrocyaDic acid. Death occurs by asphyxia, paralysis of the 

 brain and of the respiratory centre; it is preceded by convulsions. 



5. Poisoning by Furrow-weed [Lolium temulentum ; Darnel). 



Symptoms. In the horse we see colics and symptoms of immo- 

 bility ; in the ox, loss of consciousness and general convulsions. 



Autopsy. Slight gastro-enteritis ; cerebral and medullar hyper- 

 emia. 



Treatment. Tannin and stimulants. 



Intoxications by furrow-grass are very rare; some cases have 

 been observed in the horse. The symptoms appear only after the 

 ingestion of large quantities of this plant. 



6. Alcohol Poisonings {Alcoholism). 



Symptoms. Excitement and anxiety ; rabiform manifestations 

 in the ox ; redness of the mucous membrane ; tumultuous beatings , 

 of the heart, full and accelerated pulse. Later, dizziness, stagger- 

 ing, loss of consciousness, paretic condition, collapse. The end is 

 often fatal. Abortion (Mobius) and genital excitation (Gênée). 



Autopsy. There are no constant alterations. The organs have 

 an 'alcoholic odor. There is cerebral hyperemia and at times ven- 

 tricular dropsy. 



Treatment. Tonics : coffee, ether, camphor, ammonia, carbon- 

 ate of ammonia. Cold head douches. 



The common alcohol poisonings are only observed in our ani- 

 mals after the ingestion of too large doses of some kind of alcoholic 

 drink prescribed as a stimulant or an antipyretic. But intoxica- 

 tions by malt and alcoholic malts are not rare. The mode of action 

 of these substances is complex : alcohol acts upon the nervous cen- 

 tres after its absorption, and the fermented matters irritate the 

 gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, consequently we observe gastric 

 troubles, tympanites, etc. In the pig, alcoholism is often accom- 

 panied by epileptiform convulsions. Spinola has observed a case of 

 chronic alcoholism in a distiller's dog. 



7. Poisoning by Horse-tail Grass, Scouring Bush, Shave-grass 

 {Equisetum palustre., E. limosum, E. arvense) : Mai d^ébriéte. 



Symptoms. At the beginning there is anxiety and excitation, 

 without cerebral disturbance ; later, unsteadiness of motions, stag- 

 gering gait, and finally paralysis of the hind quarters, falls, general 



