130 
ACORN-POISONING. 
parks all the summer could not be thus sufficiently protected. 
In many instances the daily collection of the acorns on these 
pastures did not prevent the disease, although it considerably 
mitigated its severity. Large quantities of acorns fell during 
the night, and the animals had opportunities of eating them 
before the pickers came to their work. 
Towards the middle of October high winds prevailed for a 
few’ days, and an immense quantity of acorns fell, but it was 
not until the expiration of a week or ten days from this time 
that the disease manifested itself so generally as to attract 
attention, and by the end of the month the malady had been 
recognised over a large portion of the kingdom. 
The daily press contained numerous letters from corre- 
spondents who had suffered from the ravages of the disease, 
or who sought advice respecting its prevention. The general 
impression was that acorns, when judiciously given, are 
valuable food ; but if eaten in too large quantity they prove 
hurtful by distending the stomach and causing indigestion. 
Pertinent to this view of the effects of acorns are the remarks 
which we quote from a communication sent to us by Mr. 
Dale, M.R.C.V.S., of Great Stanmore. Referring to the 
duration of the disease, he writes : 
“ Young stock have in some instances been found dead in 
the parks without any previous signs of illness, and on ex- 
amination we have found large quantities of whole acorns in 
the rumen, and the animals apparently died from c hoven.’ 
These have been exceptional cases.” 
Similar cases of sudden death from excessive feeding on an 
unaccustomed food have been brought under our notice. 
Cattle and sheep have died in consequence of filling their 
stomachs to repletion with acorns, and the same thing has 
happened to them and to other animals from overgorging 
with other kinds of food, but, as Mr. Dale says, these cases 
are exceptional. 
From Mr. Dale’s report of cases of acorn-poisoniag occur- 
ring in his practice, we extract the following details, which 
will suffice to show that the disease, in its ordinary course, is 
not the result of sudden mechanical distension of the stomach 
from excessive feeding. 
“ Case 1. — Hilfield Park. Fifteen steers and heifers were 
pastured, ages from one year to two and a half years. The ani- 
mals were feeding on acorns for a week before any symptoms 
of illness appeared ; ten of them were attacked and nine died. 
The first case occurred on October 27th. Some of the acorns 
were picked up from this pasture, and as soon as the young 
stock were taken ill the older animals were removed. 
