288 
SUPPOSED DEATH OF THREE COWS FROM 
GATHERING UP PORTIONS OF LEAD (THE 
SPRAY OF RIFLE BULLETS) WITPI THEIR 
FOOD. 
By W. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., Rugby. 
In place of continuing my remarks on the medicinal pro¬ 
perties of the Aconitum napellus in this month’s Journal, I 
purpose noticing a case which has been brought before me 
within the last few clays, and which I think is of some 
interest and importance, more especially as the opinion of the 
members of our profession may be asked in like cases during 
the summer months, when rifle shooting is principally carried 
on. The following is a brief history of the case : 
The rifle butts at w r hich the Rugby Rifle Volunteers 
practise shooting are situated about a mile from the town, 
adjoining some rich meadow and pasture land, irrigated by 
the sewage from the town, and in the occupation of a gentle¬ 
man named Mullins. A few days ago Captain Wratislaw 
(the captain of the Rugby Rifle Volunteers) received the 
following note from Mr. Mullins: 
fC Newbold ; April 9, 1864. 
“ Dear Sir, —I beg to call your attention to the following 
case. The parcel forwarded by bearer contains a portion of 
the c spray’ that was yesterday taken from the paunch of one 
of my cows, and had evidently caused her death. She had 
been ailing for some months, and when opened the stomachs 
were found to be highly discolored and inflamed, the lungs 
pulpy and full of a frothy phlegm. The symptoms for 
above a fortnight previously to death were—entire loss of 
appetite, great thirst, violent purging, increased respiration, 
grunting as though in considerable pain, indisposition to 
move, &c. As regards the manner in which the lead got 
into the stomach, I have no doubt it was gathered up from 
time to time with the food. I may add that within the past 
four months I have lost two other cows which presented 
precisely the same symptoms, though, unfortunately, through 
their not having been examined, I am unable to say that 
they died from a similar cause. I should have stated that 
the lead must have been in the cow for some months, as 
since November she has not been where it was come-at-able. 
(( Respectfully, &c., 
To Capt. Wratislaw. “ Bicknell Mullins. 
