ACORN-POISONING. 137 
which correspond with what was observed during the two 
periods of the prevalence of the acorn disease. 
Experimental feeding with Acorns. 
Two animals were selected, a steer about sixteen months old 
and a sheep about nine months old. Both animals partook of 
the acorns readily ; the sheep continued to eat them for several 
weeks without showing any signs of illness ; the ox, on the 
other hand, presented very marked evidence of being affected 
w r ith the disease, which had proved extensively fatal in 
the acorn districts. The following remarks, which we 
quote from our note-book, will suffice to indicate the result 
of this experiment, which was undertaken under particularly 
unfavorable circumstances, inasmuch as the acorns were 
quite ripe and dry, and animals all over the country had 
ceased to suffer from the disease. 
On November 14th the steer ate about a peck of the seeds 
with a little hay chaff. 
November 15th. — The steer was supplied at 10 a.m. with 
about three quarters of a peck of acorns. 
16th. — No evidence of any ill effects. The animal con- 
sumed about the same quantity yesterday as on the first day 
of the experiment. 
17th. — Yesterday the steer continued to eat the acorns 
freely, hut to-day he is less inclined to partake of them. 
Beyond the disinclination to eat there is no symptom of ill 
health ; the internal temperature is 100’6 o . 
18th. — No important change is apparent ; the steer still 
objects to eat the acorns ; indeed, manifests no desire for food. 
19th. — Very little alteration has occurred in the animal’s 
appearance since yesterday. 
20th. — To-day there are decided signs of illness ; the steer 
is very dull in its aspect, and is disposed to lie down; 
constipation is present ; the pulse is weak ; the animal takes 
very little food or water. 
21st. — The symptoms are the same as those recorded 
yesterday ; the general appearance is that of extreme dejec- 
tion ; the temperature is 101°. 
Up to November 25th no change of importance was noticed ; 
the temperature ranged between 100° and 101°, and the dul- 
ness and disinclination for food and water continued. 
26th. — There is some mucous discharge from eyes and 
nostrils to-day, and for the first time the peculiar symptom 
of colourless urine was noticed ; the appetite is almost lost ; 
temperature 100°. 
