POISONS. 
493 
it may be inferred that the liver is in a very disordered con¬ 
dition, and in that case a cure is hopeless. Mercurial reme¬ 
dies have been recommended and tried with good results. 
POISONS. 
Symptoms.- —Great distension of the intestines and vio¬ 
lent pain are the symptoms attendant upon cattle which 
have eaten poisonous or highly narcotic vegetables. 
In this country there are no poisonous animals whose bite 
will prove fatal to horned cattle. From the bite of the viper, 
swelling and pain in the spot bitten may take place, but 
these will generally disappear after suppuration. However, 
it sometimes happens that cattle when hungry will feed 
upon plants which are poisonous in their nature, such as 
the leaves of digitalis, or foxglove, poppies, and even lettuce, 
which, from their narcotic properties, induce sleep, and when 
taken in too large quantities produce a state resembling 
apoplexy, and terminate in death. Besides the plants 
above mentioned, we may also state that, henbane, deadly- 
nightshade, woody-nightshade, laurel, and stramoneum, have 
highly narcotic properties. 
Remedies. —Vinegar counteracts the effects of narcotics. 
A pint may be given to a cow or ox, which will generally 
be found a sufficient dose, especially if heated before being 
administered. 
The following recipe has also been found an effectual 
remedy :— 
Nitre in powder 
Gum fcetida, powdered 
Prepared kali 
Mithridate 
Tartarized antimony 
to be given in a pint of gruel. 
\ ounce, 
J ounce, 
2 drachms, 
1 ounce, 
2 drachms: 
