160 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



6. The long hair at the end of the bull's sheath should be cut off. 



Moreover, it is well to clip the hair from under the belly over a circle 

 one foot in diameter surrounding the opening of the sheath. Then, by 

 washing with a sponge this area can easily be cleaned before each service. 



7. Wash off the external genitals of each cow every day. 



For this purpose use any of the antiseptic recommended above. They 

 can be applied with a clean sponge. The parts washed should comprise 

 the root of the tail, the anus, the vulva, and the surrounding skin for a 

 distance of several inches, and the corresponding portion of the tail. A 

 separate bucket and sponge should be used for the cows that are preg- 

 nant and those that have recently aborted. 



8. Do not breed a cow for ten weeks after she has aborted. 



About ten weeks are required for the thorough treatment of a cow 

 that has aborted and she should not be bred before the expiration of 

 this period. If she shows any discharge or other indication of vaginal 

 catarrh she should not be bred for a longer period, or until the parts are 

 in an entire normal condition, 

 a. A solution of carbolic acid may be administered subcutaneously to each preg- 

 nant cow. 



For this purpose use a three per cent, solution of carbolic acid and of 

 this, inject two drachms every ten days. Should this cause swelling in 

 some individuals, for these use a smaller amount. 



10. Remove cows from the herd before they abort, if possible. 



The purpose of this is to prevent the re-infection of the premises. Of 

 course, this cannot always be done and when a cow aborts in the cow 

 stable thorough disinfection is again required. 



11. Repeat the disinfection of the stable from time to time and pay particular 



attention to cleansing and disinfecting the gutters. 



For frequent flushing of the gutters use a saturated solution of sulphate 

 of iron. 

 J2. Treat the cows according to their individual needs. 



If a laxative or tonic is needed, give Sal. car, fact or iron or arsenic ac- 

 cording to the indications. 

 13. Whenever possible, it is well to use a separate bull for the cows that have 

 aborted and another for the sound cows. 

 But even in this case it is important to observe the precautions cited 

 under heading No. 5, using a separate apparatus for each bull. 



Ergotism. — There was oiie outbreak of ergotism during the year 

 and it was investigated and reported upon very fully by Dr. Jacob 

 Helmer, of Scranton. The disease investigated by Dr. Helmer oc- 

 curred on a farm in Wayne county. In this herd there were 12 cat- 

 tle, 10 cows and 2 yearlings, and of tlhese 9 were afflicted with ergot- 

 ism. Three of the cows had died before the investigation was madte 

 on the 10th of April, 1902. In these animals, there was gangrene of 

 the extremities, the ear tips became dry, brittle and finally dropped 

 off, the process gradually extending toward the base of the ear. 

 Some of the animals had lost their tails in the same way, others had 

 lost tlheir feet and in one animal two legs had separated at about 

 the middle of the cannon bone. The trouble had been in progress 

 from the previous January. It was found to have been due to ergot 

 growing on red top hay. Some samples of this red top hay was sent 



