265 
POISONING OF CATTLE WITH OIL CAKE. 
Communicated by J. W. Anderton, Veterinary Student. 
In the early part of February, my brother, who has been 
superintending my practice during my stay at the College, 
was called to some cows, in consequence of the sudden death 
of two. and the illness of five others. They were the pro¬ 
perty of Mr. Ralph Ludlam, of Arncliffe Coate, and had that 
morning been fed for the first time on some newly purchased 
oil cake, sold as food for cattle under the name of rape cake. 
The cake was bought on the 2d February, at Skipton, and 
on the 5th seven pounds of it, as near as can be calculated, 
were eaten by seven cows, shortly after which they were 
observed to have a great flow of saliva from the mouth, and 
to be seriously indisposed. On visiting them five hours 
afterwards, my brother found that they all gave symptoms of 
acute abdominal pain, accompanied with much distress of 
breathing and great acceleration of the pulse. One died 
twelve hours after partaking of the cake, and the other seven¬ 
teen hours afterwards. The cows were in three different 
sheds, with other cattle, and the above symptoms were por¬ 
trayed by those only that had partaken of the cake. Under 
the circumstances, my brother sought the advice of Mr. II. 
Fishwick, M.R.C.V.S., of Burnley, who, besides advising as to 
the treatment of the affected animals, assisted in making a 
'post-mortem examination. The cow that died last was first 
examined, when it was found that all the stomachs were 
greatly inflamed, and bowels more or less so in patches. The 
mucous coat could easily be stripped off, and even separated 
of itself from the others when the cut parts were lifted up. The 
(Esophagus and trachea were also much inflamed. The lungs 
were congested. The heart was soft, and contained a little 
blood in its ventricles, which was partially coagulated. The 
ingesta was normal in quantity and consistency, but, from 
its fermentation, had given rise to a good deal of tympany of 
the rumen. The cow that died first presented similar appear¬ 
ances, but the inflammation of the mucous membranes was 
far more intense. 
There being little doubt as to the' cause of death, the fol¬ 
lowing certificate was handed in by Mr. Fishwick : 
“Burnley; Feb. 7, 1801. 
** I hereby certify that I have this day examined {post 
mortm) two white cows, the property of Mr. Ralph Ludlam, 
xaxiv, 20 
