[Nitrate poisoning in cattle in the province of Goningen. Report on a number of cases (author's transl)].

Six cases of nitrate poisoning in cattle are reported. The fact that the symptoms were highly acute and appeared as rapidly as within a few hours after feeding, was a striking feature in dairy cows. Deaths occurred among yearlings without the stock owners having previously noticed any changes. In those cases in which post-mortem studies were done, characteristic changes were not observed, with the exception of engorgement of the lungs with blood or paleness of the mucosae. Nitrate levels were found to vary markedly within a single lot of roughage. Early administration of methylene blue to reduce methaemoglobin and treatment with hypertensive agents may be life-saving.