LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 571 
to the influence of the atmosphere they are rendered soluble, but 
a much quicker way of obtaining that object is to add sulphuric 
acid; the result of this mixture is monocalcic phosphate, and 
calcic sulphate or gypsum, the former being very soluble in water, 
and the latter slightly so. This is superphosphate of lime, which 
is now so much used in agriculture. 
We have in this superphosphate (which is the only compound 
containing this monocalcic phosphate that would be likely to be 
found on a farm) sulphuric acid, which invariably contains 
arsenic, sulphate of lime, monocalcic phosphate, and insoluble 
matters. To which of these must we attribute the cause of 
death ? 
I think we may conclude that the insoluble matters and the 
small quantity of calcic sulphate or gypsum were not the cause. 
Then was it arsenic ? There were none of the characteristic 
lesions of the stomach and intestines, which occur even if arsenic 
had been absorbed by applying it to an open wound, or by other¬ 
wise introducing it into the system. The appearances are those of 
inflammation of the stomach, the mucous membrane being in¬ 
tensely red, coloured by extravasated blood, and the stomach 
generally containing ropy, bloody mucus. 
Moreover, the small amount of arsenic present would not be 
sufficient to cause death. 
Then, it may be said that the sulphuric acid used in preparing 
the superphosphate was not all combined, but some of it was 
free, and may have done the mischief. But when sulphuric acid 
is taken, it produces white or black excoriations of the buccal 
membrane, intense pain, thirst, difficulty in swallowing, painful 
efforts to cough, quick feeble pulse, cold skin, accelerated breath¬ 
ing, clammy sweats, and great weakness. 
In the case under consideration there was no appearance in the 
mucous coat of the alimentary canal of those dark brown stains or 
corrosions so marked in sulphuric acid poisoning. 
But the most conclusive evidence against the probability of 
sulphuric acid being the cause is, that there was present a large 
quantity of lime in a soluble condition, which is incompatible 
with sulphuric acid. 
I think, therefore, we may safely conclude it was the mono¬ 
calcic phosphate acting like dilute phosphoric acid which proved 
fatal. 
It is a matter for consideration how these cattle took the 
poison; was it in their food or in their drink? Judging from 
the quantity found in the rumen, it must have been taken with 
the solids; the amount of fluid that finds its way into the rumen 
is very small compared with what passes onwards. 
It may appear strange that cattle will take with their food a 
