American Veterinary Review, 
JANUARY, 1884. 
ORIGINAL ARTICLES. 
POISON IN AMMONIA. 
By J. C. Meykr, Jr., M.D., Y.S. 
POISONING OF FIFTY-FOUR HORSES BY INHALATION. 
October 14, at 8.30 p. m., an accident occurred at the estab¬ 
lishment of the Ch. Moerleiu Brewing Co., caused by the spon¬ 
taneous separation of a joint connecting two pipes containing 
ammonia in the shape of gas used in the manufacture of cold air 
which is forced into the beer cellars of the brewery. This hap¬ 
pened in a large room in the immediate vicinity of a door which 
leads into the adjoining stables of the establishment, that, had 
been unwittingly left ajar. It being Sunday night, the doors of 
the stable opening into the street were closed, thus permitting the 
ammonia to escape directly into the midst of the horses, causing 
the immediate death of twenty-four head and the poisoning of 
thirty others to a greater or’ less extent. Through the timely 
arrival of assistance, a number of others were rescued without re¬ 
ceiving any serious injury. 
Shortly after the occurrence I arrived at the place, and the 
sight that met my eye by the aid of a dim light was most horri¬ 
ble. Carcasses of horses lying all over the stable floor and in 
the stalls. The stable flooded with water by the fire companies 
in order to mitigate the irritating effects of the ammonia. A 
couple half dead, moaning horses dragged out into the street that 
they might be revived if possible; in addition the intolerance of 
