A FARMER’S LOSS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3877, 29 November 1928, Page 2

A FARMER’S LOSS

FOUR. HEIFERS DEAD THROUGH PAINT-POISONING. THREE OTHERS AFFECTED. Paint is not commonly labelled poison, but it is quite as certain in its toxic results as many articles to which printed warnings are attached. The latest case in point is one affecting some cows belonging to Mr. James Avery, of Lindsay Road (says the Levin Chronicle). On Sunday morning he found three of his yearling jersey heifers dead in a gully, and later a fourth was discovered in a dying condition. All had been frothing at the mouth — a symptom generally pointing to poisoning—and as the affair was a mystery to the owner, he communicated with the police.A search of the prqperty by Constable Bagrie and himself ensued, and eventually an old paint-tin was found on the section, where it had evidently been left a long time ago unknown to the present occupier. It contained a quantity of dried-up paint, and from the depression in the surface it was observable that the cows had licked away a small quantity, equivalent to three or four tablespoonfuls.

The incident served to show that little more than a trace of paint entering an animal’s system is sufficient to cause death, owing to the lead content of the mixture. A similar case occurred not long ago at Whirokino, at the place where a timber lorry was overturned and a man killed last August. Some paint was capsized with the timber; the tins were subsequently cleared away, but the paint spilt on the ground was licked by two heifers, which died in consequence. An analysis of the stomach of one of the dead cows on Mr Avery’s farm was made on Monday by Mr. \Y. 11. Pink, veterinary practitioner, and the result went to confirm the assumption that the animals had succumbed to paint-poisoning. In addition to losing four heifers, Mr. Avery has three others sick through the same cause, but it is hoped that with careful treatment they will recover.

For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with the symptoms, it may be explained that the entry of a lead ingredient into the stomach produces frothing at the mouth, violent convulsions, and paralysis. The age of the paint left in discarded tins is immaterial; even when the •pigment has dried it is still poisonous, and any water that may be lyng on top of it is distinctly so. Paint tins can be easily burnt out, and it is advisable that this precaution be generally observed.