254               A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.

POISONS.                      ANTIDOTES.

Nux vomica or strychnia

... Bromide of potassium ; weak decoction of
tobacco.

Tobacco ...

... Warm stimulants, tannic acid, and small
doses of strychnia.

Metallic salts ...

... Steel states that "the formation of tumours
over the body, progressive anaemia and
even disorders of the feet have been
attributed to the empirical use of the
compounds of mercury in too large
quantities."
Plenty of white of eggs, wheaten flour
conjee, and other demulcent drinks.

Acids ...

... Alkalies, such as carbonate or bicarbo-
nate of soda or potash.

Carbolic acid ...

... White of eggs, demulcent drinks, stimu-
lants.

The dose of poison may be so large that treatment is of little
avail. Antidotes are not always procurable in time to be of service ;
again the elephant is, especially when in pain, an awkward animal to
give drugs to, and such things as inhalation of ammonia are impossible.

If a death occurs under suspicious circumstances, a post-mortem
should be held, notes taken, and some of the contents of the stomach
and commencement of the small intestine, small piece of liver and
kidney should be placed in clean jars with some spirit, sealed with
a private seal by some responsible person and despatched without
delay to the Chemical Examiner, who will readily aid and give his
opinion on the case.

                              MOOKUNDA

Is an affection described by various authors as a result of permit-
ting an elephant to have his ration of rice during the period he is
eating earth as a remedy for worms.

Symptoms.—Swelling of the abdomen accompanied by pain
and restlessness ; the animal appears dull and listless ; the surface of
the body is cold. There is no diarrhoea.

Treatment.—Bowels to be kept regular with mild laxatives.
Diet should be fresh green fodder and gruel. All grain should be
withheld. Later, tonics especially preparations of arsenic and iron
may be tried.