ALCOHOLIC INTOXICATION.
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.