The _ranunculus acris_ (tall crowfoot), _repens_ (creeping crowfoot),
_sceleratus_ (cursed crowfoot), and _bulbosus_ (butter cup), are all
more or less acrid and liable to produce gastro-enteritis when taken in
quantity. They are usually avoided by animals but will sometimes be
taken by accident with other vegetation. Sheep are said to eat
ranunculus bulbosus with impunity (Daubenton). Both cattle and sheep
suffered from the other species (Delafond, Lipp, Brugnone, Delplanque).
There were salivation, colic, emesis in vomiting animals, diarrhœa,
vertigo, spasms, grinding of the teeth, arched back and staring coat.
_Treatment_ would be emesis or the stomach pump when available,
mucilaginous drinks and enemata. Johnson (Medical Botany of North
America) had a herd of cows abort for years on a field thickly set with
ranunculus acris, but which ceased to abort when removed to a field from
which this weed was absent.