210 
POISONING OF A DOG BY STRYCHNIA. 
ground. If the slightest attempt was made to touch the 
animal, exacerbation of the symptoms ensued. 
From what I saw I concluded the animal was suffering 
from the effects of strychnia, and upon making further in- 
quiries my suspicions were verified, as the following par- 
ticulars will show. 
The previous day the owner of the animal had been dress- 
ing his corn stacks with a preparation containing strychnia. 
On the following morning several mice were noticed lying 
dead around the stacks. The groom said he saw the dog 
eating some of the mice shortly after seven o’clock p.m. 
My attention was called to him about eleven a.m. About 
a quarter of an hour before I saw him the man in attendance 
noticed the animal, as he described it, to be taken in a fit, 
and turn up all at once, as if about to die. As nearly as I 
could ascertain, it was from three to four hours after the 
dog had partaken of the mice before the effect of the poison 
began to show itself. 
Treatment .-— some distance from any town, and not 
having anything with me appropriate for the case, I thought 
it a favourable opportunity to try the effects of tobacco. I 
administered a decoction of shag tobacco. The effects were 
very marked. 
Upon again visiting my patient at two p.m., I found him 
very much relieved. The twitching of the muscles and spas- 
modic contractions had ceased. The breathing was more 
tranquil, and the animal was able to walk across the place in 
which he was confined. I repeated the agent. 
At seven p.m. I gave 01. Ficini ^i, and ordered the animal 
should be kept perfectly quiet and not disturbed. 
Wednesday 2nd. — Animal convalescent, bowels responded 
to medicine. 
I have since seen the animal ; he has perfectly recovered 
from the effects of the poison, evidently to the satisfaction of 
the owner, as he was a valuable animal. 
I consider this case of some importance, as pigs are some- 
times let into stack yards to pick up corn that may be lying 
about. Should there be a quantity of mice fall from the 
stacks and the pigs eat them, as they would, it might 
prove a serious loss to the farmer. 
