The Greeley tribune., 1910-06-02
6EA8ONABllE HINTS ON
STOCK THAT III POISONED

The following on poisoned stock
is taken from the current number of
Field and Farm;
This 10 the time of year when
poison plants cause great deal of
loss ON the range and everybody
should know what to do when such
trouble arises. In nearly all cases
OF stock poisoning the sheep herders
and COW boys at present resort to
bleeding. A considerable difference
OF opinion prevails among them ~ to
the best place at which to operate.
Some prefer the root OF the tail,
others the ear. and still others the
inside Of the lips. Bleeding at one
or the other OF these places is said
to be quite effacious and is tried
with great confidence by the sheep
herders and cow boys. As is we'll
known the practice of bleeding was
constantly employed in the early his
tory OF human medicine and was con-
sidered beneficial for all sorts OF all
ments. The same might be said of
the early history of veterinary medi-
cine.
During recent years, however, the
practice mas been abandoned except
In . few special instances where It
seems to be directly indicated as the
appropriate procedure. With regard
to bleeding poisoned animals 1t is
obvious that the practice will have
good or bad effect according to the
symptoms and condition OF the AMI
NAL. If the poisOns which are con-
cerned have depressing effect upon
the heart. 1t is evidently wrong to
further increase their action by with
drawing the blood and thus lowering
the blood pressure. A number OF
poisonous plants have this effect up
on stock and when they have been
eaten stimulants are plainly indicat-
ed as the proper remedy. n. on the
other hand, the symptoms of poison
ing are those of an increased blood
pressure accompanied by cerebral ex-
element and hard, wiry pulse,
bleeding might furnish temporary
relief.
Notwithstanding the confident
manner in which herders and COW
boys speak of beneficial effects of
bleeding In all cases of poisoning it
remains very doubtful whether the
practice 10 to be recommended in any
case. 1t may be safely asserted that
the practice of bleeding indiscrimi-
nately does more harm than good.
1t is quite general practice also to
give melted lard or fat pork in any
case of stock poisoning by plants and
especially in case of bloat.
One Of the we'll known effects OF
these Substances is a more or less
cathartic action. which is desirable
in so far as it helps the animal to ELI
| 90, tI<
poisonous plant. A further beneficial
action of the lard may consist in the
hindrance to the absorption of the
poisonous alkaloids by the formation
of a temporary oily coating upon the
stomach wall In case of poisoning
by plants such as death camas and
the larkspur a solution containing
equal weights of permanganate O1
potash and sulphate of aluminium
should be administered at once. Fol
adult sheep. take, according to the
weight Of the animal, from five t
pounds dissolved in water and givel
as drench
The same dose should be given t
hogs. Fi(tfep to twenty grains ar
' required 6f horses and from thirt
S to fifty for cattle. These doses are TO
adults: for very young animals
from two to four months old-th
dose should be made proportionatel
smaller. In making these solution
the water used should be suffieien
for drenching purposes and may var
from a pint to quart, or even more
The water should be pure we'll o
spring water which is not too strong
ly alkaline; the chemicals should b
very finely powdered to insure rapi
and complete solution and car
should be taken that they are en-
tirely dissolved before the solution
10,