140 
ACORN-POISONING. 
neutralize the influence of the poison ; nothing which can 
be properly termed an antidote has yet been discovered, nor 
is it reasonable to suppose that any antidote exists which will 
be effective in cases of blood poisoning, as they are termed, 
because the condition includes a great deal more than is 
usually implied in the use of the word “ poisoned.” 
An animal feeds for a certain time on provender which 
contains a quantity of organic matter in a state which is un- 
favorable for assimilation; under these circumstances it may be 
presumed the digestive functions become disturbed, products 
which ought to be excreted are retained in the system, and 
besides this deleterious matters are very probably absorbed. 
Th\e blood is charged with effete matter, and is no longer 
capable of supporting life, much less of repairing wasted 
tissues. Slowly but certainly the vitality of the circulating 
fluid declines, and the death of the entire organism inevit- 
ably follows the decadence of the life of the blood. 
It is hardly possible to imagine the existence of a single 
remedy which will restore the lost force, re-establish the im- 
paired functions, cause the elimination of the dead materials 
which are blocking up all the channels through which they 
should be excreted, and rectify the derangement of nearly 
every organ in the body, as certainly as an alkali will neutra- 
lize a given quantity of an acid. 
Many animals which were removed from the pastures when 
they began to show symptoms of the disease gradually re- 
covered without medical treatment, while those which were 
badly affected did not materially improve under the action of 
medicines. Bicarbonate of potash was found in some cases 
to allay irritation, and many practitioners speak confidently 
of its value as a therapeutic in acorn-poisoning, but we are 
aware of numerous instances in which it was not productive 
of any benefit. 
Vegetable and mineral tonics were exhibited to animals in 
the last stage of the disease, when much prostration is present, 
and food in the form of gruel was given at the same time, 
but without effect. The appetite was not improved by 
the use of tonics, and the food given often remained in 
the rumen, where it was often found after death as a pulpy 
mass of oatmeal from which only the water had been 
absorbed. 
Prevention is not only better than cure in respect of acorn- 
poisoning, but it is also much more easily ensured. A little 
care and forethought will be required to properly carry out 
the necessary precautions, but no doubt need be entertained 
respecting their efficacy. It is an important fact that no 
