198 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



were thoroughly disinfected. 'Vho hind quarters of the aflocted cows were thorouglilv 

 di.sinf(Htpd. Every HUininer the entire Htnl>le was disinfected. Si)ecial cattlemen and 

 special milkers were a])j)ointc(i tor (lie aborting cows. Much time intervened before 

 the aborting cows were put to the bull. Although the disease was partially allayed, 

 it was quite evident that it was by no means eradicated. 



Considerable more evidence- was collected by Professor Bang from his colleagues in 

 Denmark. .Ml of which points to the important part the bull plays in spreading the 

 germs of abortion. 



In one case a farmer let his bull to a neighbor who had contagious abortion in his 

 herd. Although this farmer had had no abortion for eleven years, every cow that wns 

 served by that bull thereafter aborted. Tiie bull was sold, cows disinfected with 

 lysol, and for two years there have been no cases of abortion. 



In another case, the farmers are designated as A, B, C. In the spring of 1897, A, 

 who had sold his own bull, obtained a service of B's bull for his fifteen cows, which 

 had aborted during the year past. H also gave the services of his l)ull to C. "Neither 

 B nor C had ever had a case of abortion hitherto, but in 1898 their cows began to 

 calve prematurely." Nine of B's and twelve of C's cows had aborted previous to July, 

 1898. 



Still another case, two farmers having about twenty-five cows each, although they 

 were in the habit of keeping a bull for each herd, had reached the point where one 

 had become dependent on tlie other for the services of his liull. One of them had 

 been troubled with al)ortion. while the other wlio let his l)ull had l)een free. How- 

 ever, the following year, after lending his bull to his neighbor, the farmer who had 

 experienced no cases of contagious abortion, had fifteen cows abort. 



Such evidence as this indicates very plainly the relation of the bull to the spread 

 of the disease. No trouble is experienced in disinfecting the bull, especially if the 

 solution of lysol is first warmed. Besides disinfecting the bull, it is necessary to 

 disinfect the uterus of the cows. The cows should tirst be isolated, the placenta 

 should be removed and destroyed not later than the day after calving. The uterus 

 ■should be repeatedly disinfected with a one-half per cent solution of lysol. It is also 

 necessary, inasmuch as the germs are scattered about the barn and on the fodder, 

 that the barn and all of its contents be disinfected. It will be remembered that Prof. 

 Bang has practically demonstrated that the germs of this disease may find entrance to 

 the body through various avenues. If this is so, stringent care and acute watchful- 

 ness, with a proper knowledge of disinfection, will he the best remedies in wiping out 

 contagious abortion when once established. 



To light contagious al)ortion, it becomes necessary, therefore, to disinfect the bull 

 before and after service, to disinfect the uterus and vagina of the cow, as well as the 

 cow herself, to isolate the cow, to disinfect the stable w ith its utensils. For methods 

 and disinfectants which may be used for carrying out the fight, I refer the reader to 

 bulletin No. 172 of this station. In disinfecting the uterus of the cow, it would be 

 well for the stock-man to secure a competent veterinarian to instruct him, inasmuch 

 as the process will have to be repeated frequently. The stock-man will be able to do the 

 work himself if once shown how. 



•CHARLES E. MARSHALL. 



September 10, 1899. 



As this goes to press, more recent work bj^ Professor Bang confirms the foregoing. 

 December 22, 1899. , C. E. M. 



