10 May, 1918.] Accidental Abortion in Dairy Cattle. 309 



result of injury. A few of the possible causes of premature calving 

 may well be noted, in order that they may be guarded against. The 

 value of each cow to the dairy farmer is almost wholly dependent on 

 the animal bearing a calf and renewing her milk each year. With 

 breeding stock the value of the calf alone is in itself a big consideration, 

 but in the case of a herd where several cows slip or abort their calves, 

 and consequently do not come into their milking flush, the financial loss 

 is very heavy. This is a fact too often overlooked, and, owing to failure 

 to recognise its importance, farmers are apt to be less mindful of the 

 causes leading up to it. 



Almost every dairy farmer suffers an occasional loss through some 

 cows slipping their calves, and many of these accidents might be pre- 

 vented if the owner only knew the predisposing causes. Unless cows 

 are dehorned, they will always fight more or less, and injure each other, 

 and a rush in the flank may easily bring about slinking. The introduction 

 of a strange cow into a herd of springers and milkers will almost always 

 be followed by fighting, and ripi:>ed flanks or torn udders will probably 

 result. Everything likely to lead to quietness in dairy cattle should be 

 looked to. No cow should be roughly driven. The farmer who " dogs " 

 his herd to or from the sheds is employing one of the most expensive of 

 helpers. A proof of the folly of seeking its help may be given. A herd 

 of fifteen cows was repeatedly " dogged " from the sliprails leading to a 

 small paddock of greenstuff, from which they were cut a small quantity 

 daily, and this treatment caused every one of them to cast her calf pre- 

 maturely. Rough handling of the dairy herd is invariably very 

 costly to the owner. Loss of milk and butter-fat is sure to result 

 from rough driving, and, with cases of abortion possible, every owner 

 should see that this sort of treatment does not occur. 



Careless leg-roping of a nervous cow may also cause abortion. Some 

 milkers rope every cow up tightly before they start milking, and timid or 

 otherwise highly-sensitive cows are apt to resent this treatment. They 

 will often kick continuously in an endeavour to get rid of the leg-rope, 

 and thus irritate a cross-tempered milker, who may foolishly give the 

 animal a blow in the flank. Such ill-treatment may easily lead to 

 premature calving. (The most effective method of roping a cow to keep 

 her from kicking is to fasten the leg with which she kicks short across the 

 other. She simply cannot kick from that angle, but roping straight back 

 does not prevent kicking.) 



Slippery floors in the gangway or stalls are also frequently the cause 

 of springing cows getting injured by falling on them, and subsequently 

 slinking. 



Allowing cattle to have access from one paddock to another through 

 an awkward gateway, or over a log or partly broken rail or wire fence, 

 may also cause similar trouble. 



Again, cows are frequently injured at the stock watering places. 

 Too many cows trying to drink at a small trough is sure to lead to fight- 

 ing. It is a wise policy to make provision for all the herd being able to 

 get to water and having their fill within at least half-an-hour. Timid 

 cows, stock new to their surroundings, and small heifers are frequently 

 crowded away from the water by the more robust cows for over an hour 

 in the heat of a summer's day. The milk yield suffers in consequence, for, 

 in hot weather, a full supply of wholesome water is as important as 

 good feeding. Another source of injury to springing cows which may 



