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A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
Poisons. 
Nux vomica or strychnia ... 
Tobacco 
Metallic salts 
Acids 
Carbolic ncid 
Antidotes. 
Bromide of potassium ; weak decoction of 
tobacco. 
Warm stimulants, tannic acid, and small 
doses of strychnia. 
Steel states that "the formation of tumours 
over the body, progressive anaemia and 
even disorders of the feet have been 
attributed to the empirical use of the 
compounds of mercury in too large 
quantities." 
Plenty of white of eggs, wheaten flour 
conjee, and other demulcent drinks. 
Alkalies, such as carbonate or bicarbo- 
nate of soda or potash. 
White of eggs, demulcent drinks, stimu- 
lants. 
The dose of poison may be so large that treatment is of little 
avail. Antidotes are not always procurable in time to be of service ; 
again the elephant is, especially when in pain, an awkward animal to. 
give drugs to, and such things as inhalation of ammonia are impossible. 
If a death occurs under suspicious circumstances, a post-mortem 
should be held, notes taken, and some of the contents of the stomach 
and commencement of the small intestine, small piece of liver and 
kidney should be placed in clean jars with some spirit, sealed with 
a private seal by some responsible person and despatched without 
delay to the Chemical Examiner, who will readily aid and give his 
opinion on the case. 
MOOKUNDA 
Is an affection described by various authors as a result of permit- 
ting an elephant to have his ration of rice during the period he is 
eating earth as a remedy for worms. 
Symptoms. — Swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain 
and restlessness ; the animal appears dull and listless ; the surface of 
the body is cold. There is no diarrhoea. 
Treatment. — Bowels to be kept regular with mild laxatives. 
Diet should be fresh green fodder and gruel. All grain should be 
withheld. Later, tonics especially preparations of arsenic and iron 
may be tried. 
