142 
POISONING WITH ARSEN IOUS ACID. 
strength which tendon itself does not possess. Still the 
occurrence of such an accident as this appears to give mucous 
membrane a property “not dreamt of in their philosophy ” 
That muscular fibre, though apparently thin, is gifted with 
extraordinary strength, any one who has had his arm within 
the uterus of a cow, in a case of parturition, must acknow- 
ledge. However, red muscular fibre seems alone enabled to 
resist traction. White muscular fibre appears incapable of 
resistance, even of the slightest kind, when deprived of its 
natural covering, mucous membrane. 
How are we to account for an irritating agent within the 
peritoneal cavity drawing forth no sign of agony ? It might 
be supposed that nature was overpowered by the sudden 
lesion. Such, however, did not seem to be the case here, as 
there was no collapse, and all the ordinary functions^ vitality 
were performed, it may be in an irregular manner, still for 
hours after the rupture had taken place. We also know that 
the horse is an animal which can sustain a far more serious 
lesion to an equally vital part, without sensibility being- 
destroyed. I allude to rupture of the stomach. Why, more- 
over, should the rupture of a portion of the ileum excite the 
breathing, and not apparently affect the sensorium ? The 
horse died at length from congestion, consequent upon pro- 
longed and rapid breathing, and seemingly not in any way 
weakened or worn-out by the destruction of the integrity of 
the small intestines, or of the mesentery. 
CASES OF POISONING WITH ARSENIOUS ACID. 
By J. C. Truckle, M.R.C.Y.S., Salisbury. 
On Tuesday, the 2d January, 1855, I was requested to 
attend at a farm, some distance from this town, to see some 
horses which they said had lost the use of their limbs, and 
which were taken ill only the day before. On my arrival I 
found seven of them standing together, in excellent condition, 
their coats being as sleek as if stabled for the purpose. Three 
of them were then ill, one appearing much worse than the 
others. The symptoms of this one were — the pulse full and 
strong; breathing natural; bowels regular; conjunctival 
membrane of rather a livid hue ; appetite very good. The 
head seemed particularly affected, as evidenced by its pen- 
dant position, and the difficulty experienced on my attempting 
to elevate it ; but the most marked symptom was paralysis of 
