USE OF POISONS FOR DESTROYING NOXIOUS MAMMALS. 423 



poisons exist. It is well, however, for anyone desiring to poison 

 pests to first inform himself thoroughly as to the statutes of his State 

 on the subject. 



Another objection that has been urged to the destruction of mam- 

 mal pests by poisons is that their use is inhuman, entailing much 

 suffering upon the victims. The same objection holds to even greater 

 degree against trapping, shooting, and other methods of taking life. 



POISONS IN COMMON USE AGAINST NOXIOUS MAMMALS. 



The poisons most commonly used to destroy mammal pests in 

 America are phosphorus, arsenic, and strychnine. Nearly all the 

 proprietary poisons on the market have phosphorus or arsenic as a 

 base. Other substances that have been recommended are barium 

 carbonate, potassium cyanid, corrosive sublimate, nux vomica, cicuta, 

 and common squills. 



PHOSPHORUS. 



Yellow phosphorus seems to be the poison most used for the de- 

 struction of rodents. It is an irritant poison, usually slow, though 

 quite variable in rapidity of action, but eventually destroying the 

 life of any animal that eats it. One-fourth of a grain is a dangerous 

 dose for a person, and in one instance a much smaller quantity proved 

 fatal. Used medicinally, it is given in doses of one one-thousandth to 

 one-thirtieth of a grain. Commercial or yellow phosphorus is usually 

 kept under water in the form of waxy, translucent sticks. It is solu- 

 ble in 4 parts of carbon bisulphid. Its efficiency as a poison depends 

 on the fineness of division. That prepared and mixed by machinery 

 is usually better than poorly mixed, homemade preparations. The 

 fineness of division is accomplished by first dissolving the phos- 

 phorus in carbon bisulphid, after which the solution is mixed with 

 any suitable medium. Phosphorus rat and roach pastes usually 

 contain from 1 to 2 per cent of phosphorus in a medium of flour or 

 meal and glucose. A popular English rat paste has 4 per cent of 

 phosphorus. 



There are several serious objections to the use of phosphorus. The 

 first is that its slow, irritant action entails much unnecessary suffering. 

 While the right to take the life of noxious animals is generally con- 

 ceded, it should be done without needless torture. 



The danger to person and clothing in handling yellow phosphorus 

 should be generally known. This substance is kept and cut under 

 water and should not be touched with the hands. A nearly saturated 

 solution in carbon bisulphid has been known to burst into flame while 

 being carried, setting fire to everything which it touched. « 



« Essence of turpentine is said to be a positive antidote for phosphorns poison 

 and a cure for external burns by this element. 



