Lead-arsenate poisoning of sheep and cattle

Journal Article · Thu Feb 29 23:00:00 EST 1940 · J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5376753

McCulloch, E C; John, J L

In order to establish more definitely the toxicity of known quantities of lead arsenate for sheep, healthy young sheep weighing between 36 and 45 kg were given weighed amounts of lead arsenate in gelatin capsules. The sheep generally died when fed sufficient lead arsenate to obtain two grams arsenic equivalent, expressed as As203. Analyses of the rumen contents of animals poisoned from eating lead arsenate-sprayed forage, however, indicated that much greater amounts of arsenic had been consumed. The possibility that the lead and arsenic were converted to some less toxic form is suggested. The lowered toxicity may be the result of decreased solubility within the digestive tract. The darkening of the bone marrow observed in some of the lead arsenate-fed sheep supports the suspicion that the feeding of arsenic-containing compounds may be responsible for the condition known as black cutters.

• OSTI ID: 5376753
• Journal Information: J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 96; ISSN JAVMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ARSENATES
ARSENIC
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
CATTLE
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
LEAD
MAMMALS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RUMINANTS
SEMIMETALS
SHEEP
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES