THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XXXY. 
No.410. 
FEBRUARY, 1862 . 
Fourth Series. 
No. 86. 
Communications and Cases. 
DEATH OF SEVERAL HORSES FROM FEEDING 
ON OATS AFFECTED WITH FUNGI. 
Communicated by Assistant-Professor Varnell. 
The following interesting particulars relating to the death 
of several horses from partaking of some deleterious oats 
were recently forwarded to me by Mr. Mitchell, M.R.C.V.S., 
Leeds. In his first letter dated August 27th, 1861, Mr. 
Mitchell writes as follows— 
Dear Sir, — A gentleman in this locality, has lost six horses in a very 
sudden manner. The veterinary surgeons engaged, viz., Messrs. Dray, 
Cuthbert, and myself, are unanimous in our opinion, that poison, in some 
form or other, is the cause of death, notwithstanding that the contents of 
their stomachs and intestines have been analysed by different chemists. 
No trace of poison, it is said, can be found. The oats, beans, &e., have 
also been subjected to a like analysis, and with the same result. We feel 
pretty sure that the cause of death" is connected with the oats, three feeds of 
which, given to a horse obtained for experiment, were found sufficient to 
produce death. Should you be able to afford us any assistance in investi¬ 
gating this case, you would confer at least a great obligation upon myself. 
A history of the cases, with the post-mortem appearances, shall be sent you 
forthwith. 
I am, dear sir, &c., 
(Signed) John Mitchell. 
In reply, I informed Mr. Mitcbell of my readiness to give 
bim every assistance in my power, and requested to be 
furnished with a history of the cases, and also with some of 
the suspected oats. To this I received the subjoined reply— 
5, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds; 
Sept. 2,1861. 
My Dear Sir,—I hope to send you the particulars of the cases referred 
xxxv. 5 
