ACTION OF NICOTINE ON THE HEDGEHOG. 7 
work to be watered at a trough before going into the stable ; 
but should any require a little more water during the even- 
ing, rather than turn them out in the dark into the yard, the 
men gave them some out of a pail, which perhaps was enough 
for the team. The horses affected were all in one stable, and the 
lad who looked after them, having no pail, had one made out 
of a cask that had contained some sheep-dipping compound, 
the owner being a breeder of sheep. The cask was painted 
outside and in, but the wood being saturated with the com- 
pound, the paint did not adhere in parts. The lad, on leaving 
in the morning, was accustomed to fill the pail, and allow it 
to stand till night, during which time the water became im- 
pregnated with the poison from the wood. This was proved 
by my having the cask scalded with lime and boiling water, 
after which I had it filled with water and allowed it to stand 
for some time. From the tests I applied, assisted by a che- 
mical friend, abundant proof was afforded of the water 
containing arsenic. 
Examination of the horses after death showed intense in- 
flammation of the mucous coat of the stomach, and patches 
of inflammation extending throughout the whole of the ali- 
mentary canal. The symptoms presented by the others 
were dulness, succeeded by colicky pains ; pulse 72 , and 
wiry; extremities cold; visible mucous membranes highly 
injected; active purging. I administered opiates and lime 
water several times in the day, under which treatment they 
soon recovered, although one mare was ill three or four days. 
I am, yours, &c. 
To the Editors of the ‘ Veterinarian / 
ACTION OF NICOTINE ON THE HEDGEHOG. 
By J. C lav Worth, M.R.C.V.S., Spilsby. 
Seeing it stated in the November number of the Vete- 
rinarian that few poisons have the power of destroying life 
in the hedgehog, and luckily finding one a day or two after- 
wards, I determined upon trying the effect of nicotine on it. 
One drop and a half of this alkaloid was placed upon the 
tongue of the animal, out of a teaspoon. For the first half- 
minute no alteration was observed, but soon afterwards spas- 
modic twitchings of the limbs showed themselves, more par- 
ticularly of the fore legs, which were alternately extended and 
retracted. 
