436 
POISONING OF PIGS WITH BRINE. 
quiry (for the medical attendant is generally left in the dark 
in these matters), I ascertained that a pint of salt had been 
given to each of them in about two quarts of water. The 
dose acted freely on the bowels, and the only treatment 
necessary for their restoration was a free use of mucilaginous 
matters, by the employment of which, they all soon recovered. 
Salt is often given to animals, and especially to pigs, in our 
large dairies, to assist in digestion, but almost invariably in 
such cases, there is a large supply of milk on hand, and the 
solution is, therefore, highly diluted. On conversing with a 
dairyman, a few days back, and making inquiries as to the 
quantity used, and if the animals ever sustained any injury 
from it, his reply was, No, but that it sometimes made them 
very drunk. 
The last case of this kind that came under my observation 
was one of a very fine sow, the property of Richard Rose, 
esq., of this town. She was about four years old, and kept 
by him for the purpose of breeding ; and ten days before 
the accident, she brought forth ten fine pigs. On the even- 
ing of the 18th of May, a quantity of brine was impru- 
dently put with the wash with which she was fed. About 
eight o’clock on the following morning, I was summoned 
to see her as soon as possible, as she was said to be in 
a fit. I found her lying on the abdomen and sternum, 
having her fore legs extended forwards, and the hind legs 
placed in such a position as to force the trunk backwards. 
Her head was shaking, as in a case of palsy; the ears were 
cold and drooping ; the mouth had a cadaverous appearance, 
and from it flowed a quantity of thick mucus. I recognised 
the case as one of poisoning by salt ; at least the ordinary 
symptoms in those instances were present. On my stating 
this as my opinion, it was denied that she could possibly 
have had any salt given her, but I very soon traced out that 
a person, employed as a charwoman, had been directed to put 
away some stale brine, and that she had imprudently mixed 
this with the hogs’ food. The post-mortem appearance of 
the stomach resembled that condition seen in the other cases 
of poisoning by salt which I have named. 
