20 BULLETIN 167, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The inference from this experiment and the one of the preceding 
year is that a small hay ration will prevent such ill effects as follow 
an exclusive diet of oak leaves. The cases of 1917 supplemented 
the work of the preceding years by furnishing positive evidence of 
the possibility of oak poisoning and in giving fairly clear pictures of 
the symptoms and pathology. 
EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING OF CATTLE IN 1918. 
The work of the three preceding years at the Salina station, with 
the investigations at Monahans, Tex., which are described on pages 
21-29, was considered to have proved definitely the possibility of oak 
poisoning, showed the symptomatology and pathology, and made it 
probable that a comparatively small quantity of other forage would 
prevent the ill effects of the oak. The experiments of 1918 were 
intended to clear up certain matters that were still in doubt. 
SULME SULY AUG. SEP 
FS 70 15 20 PS 30 5 10 1820 2530 $5 10 15 PO2530 5 10 15 20.2530 
ESE SLs a0 ea i a al el he Se =| 
i ES a ale 
Pee tee eg 
ce Pte Pee eae 
2 als Suigeser SYAND Se. AL PRP Hara | 
ee Perret Clee rt CL ee 
ARERR Ree) 
Shee eae eee RRA 
Fig. 13.—Weight curve of cattle No. 760, fed oak and 3 pounds of alfalfa hay per day from Aug. 2 to Sept. 8, 
1917. 
EPSOM SALT AS A REMEDY. 
From the fact that oak-poisoned animals are constipated it was 
thought possible that treatment which would relieve this condition 
might prevent the illness. Cattle Nos. 808 and 814 were fed upon 
oak leaves in the corrals from July 12 to July 24 and each was 
drenched twice daily with 2 ounces of epsom salt. This remedy 
kept the bowels in a loose condition, but both animals exhibited 
blood and mucus in the feces, and showed other distinct symptoms 
of poisoning. It was eyident from this that constipation was not 
the main factor in oak-brush poisoning. 
POSSIBLE LOSS OF TOXICITY IN MATURE LEAVES. 
The positive cases of the preceding years had been produced early 
in the season, and it is generally believed among stockmen that it is 
the young leaves and buds that produce poisoning. Moreover the 
experiments of feeding hay with the oak, which resulted in the 
continued well being of the animals, were carried on late in the 
season. It was possible that the fact that these animals were not 
poisoned was due to the lack of toxicity of the mature leaves rather 
