POISONING WITH AllSENIOUS ACID. 
143 
all four extremities, and that to such a degree that it became 
dangerous even to move him. The two others were not so 
much affected, but here, too, paralysis was the leading 
feature. The pulse in these two cases was weak. I con- 
cluded, therefore, that they were cases of paralysis, but could 
not account for the cause. Diffusible stimulants and tonics 
were administered, good nutritious diet ordered, and I 
directed the animals to be kept warm, and plenty of friction 
to be applied to the limbs. 
On the 3d, I found all my patients in the same state, with 
another added to their number evincing precisely the same 
symptoms. I repeated the medicine to each, and stimulated 
the course of the spine. 
On the 4th, the horses first attacked were not any better, 
indeed one of them was considerably worse, appearing uneasy, 
and scarcely able to stand. This day two more became 
affected precisely in the same manner. Considering the motor 
system of nerves to be chiefly implicated, I gave to each of 
them 
9) Strychnia, gr. j ; 
Pulv. Zingib. 5j ; 
Pulv. Gentianse, 5’j ; in bolus. 
Ascertaining that all the horses were now similarly affected, 
with the exception of one, a very old horse, and which never 
was attacked, I began to suspect they had been poisoned. I 
accordingly communicated my opinion to the owner, and 
also wrote the same evening to Mr. Crafts, V.S., of Bland- 
ford, asking him to come and meet me in consultation. 
On the 5th, as four of them were still no better, 1 gave 
each of them a tonic ball, but while in the act of doing so to 
the remaining two, although I took the greatest care, they 
instantly fell down as if shot, and appeared to be in convul- 
sions, but in a few minutes they recovered and got on their 
legs again. 
On the 6th, I found two of the worst were lying down and 
unable to rise. They appeared in no pain, and ate and drunk 
with avidity while down. 1 certainly considered they were in 
a dangerous state, although there was nothing to warrant me 
in stating they were near death ; but during the night they 
both died. 
On the 7th, Mr. Crafts came over ; and after carefully exa- 
mining the affected horses, concluded with me that, from the 
similarity of the symptoms, the animals had been either 
maliciously poisoned, or the carter had unintentionally given 
some pernicious drug to produce what is called “ condition 
