138 
ACORN-POISONING. 
As the quantity of acorns consumed by the steer for the 
last few days had been inconsiderable, directions were given to 
administer the seeds crushed and mixed with water. 
A microscopic examination of the blood was made by 
means of the -rrth. immersion lens, which, with Dr. Beale’s 
clinical microscope, was readily worked in the shed in which 
the animal stood. Examined immediately after being with- 
drawn from the animal, the blood presented a somewhat 
peculiar appearance ; the red discs were, in many instances, 
stellate, but others were oblong, oval and square ; some pre- 
sented an irregularity of outline which is quite indescribable. 
(See woodcut B.) After a few minutes the major part of the 
corpuscles assumed the circular form ; some of them, however, 
retained the stellate appearance. The white corpuscles were 
more numerous than usual, but no change of form was observed 
in respect of them. It has already been a subject of remark, in 
reference to the microscopic examination of the blood of 
animals suffering from acorn-poisoning, that neither bacteria, 
vibriones, nor monads, or other moving bodies were de- 
tected. 
Some of the colourless urine was collected, and the specific 
gravity of the fluid taken by the urinometer was found to be 
1012. The reaction was alkaline. 
November 26th. — No marked change in the condition is 
apparent. The administration of crushed acorns with water 
is to be continued thrice daily. 
28th. — The steer is worse ; the pulse, 55 in the minute, 
and weak. The animal is much depressed, and has a sleepy 
aspect. He lies with his head turned to one side and 
resting on one hind leg. All kind of food is refused. Urine 
colourless, alkaline. Temperature 102°. 
29th. — The general appearance is more animated, 
but the principal symptoms which were noted yester- 
day are still present, and there are in addition slight diar- 
rhoea, with indications of abdominal pain, shown by the 
animal shifting about, moving its hind legs, and shrinking 
from pressure to the abdomen. The internal temperature is 
100° ; the exterior of the body is cold. 
December 1st. — For the last two or three days the acorns 
have not been given regularly, and it is probably owing to 
this circumstance that there is some abatement in the se- 
verity of the disease. The acorns are to be given thrice daily. 
2nd. — The return of the more severe symptoms of illness 
was noted, and from day to day slight changes were ob- 
served ; the animal, however, improved gradually, and the 
appetite returned. 
