RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 
93 
beyond hope; and they also shortly succumbed. The rest 
were more or less affected. Symptoms of great urgency 
presented themselves, such as haggard countenance ; accele¬ 
rated respiration; small, feeble, and wiry pulse, having a 
sensation of clickiug under the finger. The beats were 
upwards of 90, but from the extreme uneasiness of the 
animals worst affected, I was unable to reduce them to any 
specific number. Horns, ears, and legs, cold. Eyeballs 
protruding; pupils dilated, with complete blindness in those 
cases which proved incurable. Abdomen tympanitic; severe 
tenesmus, with discharge of blood and slime; true alvine 
evacuations being either suppressed or very scanty. The 
animals kicked at the belly; twisted about; lashed the tail 
furiously, and threw the head violently from side to side; 
lay down, groaned, and rose to renew the actions as before. 
The whole of them were at once driven into a spacious 
straw-yard, well littered down; and each had a drench 
administered as soon as possible, composed of— 
Chloride of Sodium, ^xvj; 
Hydrarg. Clilor., 5’j ; 
01. Crotonis, gutt. xv ; 
with large doses of aromatic powulers. 
My prognosis was unfavorable in many instances, and I fully 
anticipated an extensive addition to the number of casualties. 
It was with fearful forebodings that I shortly paid a 
second visit, feeling greatly what a desideratum there was for 
an antidote of direct qualities against the active principle of 
the yew. My patients were, however, all alive, and certainly 
appeared easier, but the dejected look, languor, and feeble 
circulation, with a driveling of saliva from the mouth, be¬ 
tokened but little improvement, if any, upon previous affairs. 
Eight or ten hours having elapsed, I at once administered 
to each, in some cold water, Ammon. Sesquicarb. 5vj, with 
Zinjib. Had. Pulv. I allowed them tepid water to drink, and 
left orders to administer the ammonia every four hours. 
Whether or not we should look upon the chloride of 
sodium as possessing any power of neutralizing the poison¬ 
ous principles of the plant, I leave to more experienced 
minds for decision. Probably, I should infer, the purgative 
medicine onty acted in the usual manner. However, be that 
as it may, by the use of the stimulants, enemas, &e., and the 
employment of a staff of excellent working and anxious at¬ 
tendants, our labours were rewarded by a recovery en 
masse. The fseces of each animal were, subsequently to con¬ 
valescence, greatly impregnated with the undigested plant. 
