Beer in pigs, alcohol in dogs, absinthe in horse, alcohol and burnt
ales in cows, alcoholized grain in fowls, also fermented raisins.
Symptoms, lack of coördination, staggering, flushed mucosæ, full
pulse, stertor, sopor, coma, alcoholic breath, chill, muscular
twitching, delirium. Treatment: ammonia acetate, or carbonate,
apomorphia, pilocarpin, warm water, coffee, stomach pump, electricity.
Poisoning by alcohol is less common in the lower animals than in man,
yet the veterinary journals record a considerable number of cases. We
have seen pigs suffer from drinking soured beer; the smaller breeds of
dogs (English terriers) which are systematically dwarfed by feeding
alcohol are often kept for a length of time in a condition of
semi-intoxication. Bissauge records the case of a horse inebriated by a
glass of absinthe and a pint of white wine, and that of a cow which died
intoxicated 24 hours after she had been given three quarts of pure
alcohol (Rec. de Med. Vet. 1895). Dundas records intoxication in cows
fed on _burnt ales_. Intoxication of barnyard fowl and wild birds from
eating grain soaked in strong alcoholic liquids has been frequently
noticed, and Bissauge reports fatal drunkenness among our domestic fowls
from eating raisins and other fruits which had undergone fermentation.
The _symptoms_ are too suggestive to require notice in detail. There is
a lack of coördination of movement, a staggering gait, a disposition to
lie, dilated pupils, dark red flushing of the visible mucous membranes,
a full pulse, stertorous respirations, drowsiness, stupor, and finally
coma. The breath exhales the odor of alcohol, and the temperature
usually falls, especially if the subject has been exposed to cold. It
may rise later in connection with inflammation of the stomach or brain.
Muscular twitchings and delirium are sometimes found, and may occur
paroxysmally.
_Treatment._ A pint of liquor of the acetate of ammonia to horse or ox
may quickly relieve the symptoms, or 1 oz. carbonate of ammonia may be
given in solution in a pint of vinegar. If more convenient the
hypodermic injection of 1 or 2 grains of apomorphia, or of 5 grains of
pilocarpin may be employed. Warm water is of the greatest value in
securing elimination. A strong infusion of coffee is very effectual. If
the patient is a vomiting animal an emetic may be employed, and in case
of coma the stomach pump may be resorted to. Cold applied to the head or
galvanism may be used to rouse the patient.
In case of gastritis or encephalitis following the attack these must be
treated according to indication.