552 SYNOPSIS OF CONTINENTAL VETERINARY JOURNALS. 
sponding iron or zinc salt no chemical reaction occurs with 
the arsenic, which therefore retains the full power of its 
action, all the arsenic prescribed remaining dissolved in the 
bath. On the other hand, the skin, instead of being closed 
to absorption, is predisposed to it by the action of warm 
water, which clears its surface and dilates its vessels. We 
may also suggest the question whether the sulphate of soda 
does not exercise upon the sebaceous material an emulsioni- 
fying action, which removes from the skin the fatty protecting 
layer which covers it, and thus also favours its penetration 
by the arsenical solution. It would be even possible, 
according to M. Thenard , that another condition serving to 
increase the toxic properties of the arsenico-soda bath would 
be found in the much more marked capacity for solution of 
arsenious anhydride by soda solution than by ordinary 
water. But here arises a physiological question—whether 
the fatal accidents which occur among fifty sheep in the 
conditions mentioned by M. Beucler result solely from 
cutaneous absorption. It has been proved by direct experi¬ 
ment that the absorption of toxic agents dissolved in a bath 
may occur through the skin, but the absorbing power of the 
skin is very limited; and as, in the case before us, the 
accidents occurred very rapidly, following a bath of very 
short duration, and in a very short time terminated in the 
death of almost all the animals immersed, we may ask 
whether the cause of death entered solely through the skin; 
without doubt the skin of the sheep is very delicate, 
and the abrasions and the local state of congestion 
determined by the action of the acari constitute conditions 
favorable to absorption. But these are only inductions, 
and if an action for damages is to be commenced against the 
druggist who committed the error of substituting sulphate of 
soda for sulphate of zinc in preparation of a bath for sheep- 
scab, the action must be based on proofs, not on inductions. 
Therefore, on the occasion of the very interesting fact 
brought forward by M. Beucler, we must resolve the 
following questions: 
1st. The explanation of the reactions which are produced 
in the Teissier bath composed, according to the formula of 
Teissier himself, arsenic and sulphate of iron ; or, as modified 
by Clement, arsenic and sulphate of zinc. It is remarkable 
that of this matter there is no explanation in any of the works 
which treat of the arsenical bath. Teissier simply prescribes 
the formula without giving the reasons which have led him 
to combine together the medicaments of which it is composed. 
And since the publication of his Treatise on Sheep 
