326 Journal of AgricvUiire, Victoria. [10 June. 1916. 



there seems to be a far greater difficulty in getting cows to hold to the 

 bull, the cows lemaining sterile for a long period, so that a second abor- 

 tion is not often seen. If we could be sure of a pregnancy the loss from 

 the disease would not be nearly so severe. 



Treatment. 



The farmer who has been unfortunate enough to have an outbreak on 

 his farm must make up his mind to apply himself energetically for some 

 years' work. No half-and-half measures will answer the purpose, and, 

 indeed, some who have tackled the problem with which they are faced, in 

 a thorough manner, will say. that even full measures are disheartening. 



Bearing in mind the manner in which the disease is spread, the 

 principal methods of treatment are apparent. Isolation stands out as 

 indispensable. Under this heading I must again emphasize the necessity 

 of looking after the first case. As soon as any premonitory symptoms 

 are apparent the animal should be completely isolated, and the premises 

 about which she may have been dischargiii,g thoroughly disinfected. If 

 abortion has actually taken place every effort should be made to keep 

 the apparently healthy cows in isolation, and away from the affected 

 area, with the object of breaking the cycle of infection. The organism 

 is expelled from the cow per vagina, and enters others either through 

 the mouth or the vagina. Any break in this chain is going to assist in 

 eradication; therefore, remove your cows from the source of infection 

 and endeavour to destroy the organisms. This latter is done by the U'Se 

 of antiseptics, of which perchloride of mercury has been found most 

 satisfactory. Its one drawback is that it induces some degree of strain- 

 ing, but this, however, need cause no alarm. For convenience, the whole 

 procedure has been tabulated as follows : — 



CONTAGIOUS ABORTION IN CATTLE. 



General Instructions for Guidance of Owner in Control and 

 Treatment of Outbreak. 



Stock. 



1. When cows abort or " slink," the prematurely born calf, together 

 with after-birth and any discharges, must be immediately destroyed 

 completely by burning on the spot where they are found : these cows ta 

 be kept in paddock where they aborted. 



2. Cows which have not up to the present aborted should be removed 

 at one© to " clean " paddocks and kept from contact with those aborting. 

 Any subsequent aborting or showing signs of being likely to do so, must 

 be immediately returned to the original paddock. The calf and after- 

 birth, &c., to be destroyed on the spot as before. 



3. Bull to be removed from herd and isolated. 



4. A second shed or enclosure should, if possible, be made available 

 for separate milking and treatment of cows which have not up to the 

 present aborted. Aborting cows to be kept out of the shed or enclosures. 



5. Intelligent responsible persons should be detailed for milking and 

 handling aborting and non-aborting cows, and their respective duties 

 must not be interchanged. 



