328 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 June, 1916. 



For irrigating or injecting into the calf passages special metal or 

 india-rubber pumps can be procured at surgical instrument suppliers. 

 In usi?ig the perchloride. of mercury solution ordinary metal syringes, or 

 mixing dishes, shotdd on no account he vsed. A simple and convenient 

 apparatus can be made by fixing a large enamel funnel in one end ot 

 a 2-ft. piece of india-rubber tubing and a small long wooden or vulcanite 

 nozzle in the other. 



Never dispose of a cow that you can get in calf; by keeping her you 

 will more quickly bring the disease to a standstill than by disposing 

 of her and bringing fresh material on to the farm. Keep newly pur- 

 chased pregnant animals isolated until natural calving occurs. 



Methods of Prevention. 



Several methods have been from time to time promulgated, but 

 nothing definite has been determined. Subcutaneous injection of 2 per 

 cent, solution of carbolic acid 10 c.c. per week has been highly spoken of 

 by some authorities, others have had no success. 



Immunization experiments have been conducted but are not yet satis- 

 factory for general application. 



The Future. 



Let us glance at the outlook for the future in relation to contagious 

 abortion. There are two channels to direct our attention to. 



1. Effort hy the Farmer. — This effort is one which all should make 

 first by trying to keep clear of the disease by — 



(a) breeding your own stock : 



{h) isolating and observing all purchased animals; 



(c) using your own clean bull. 



Second, by trying to check the spread by — 



(a) following the directions for control; 



{h) never selling an aborted cow. This will only spread the disease 



to the unfortunate purchaser. Some day you may be the 



purchaser. 



2. Effort hy the State. — If the farmer will not exert his efforts under 

 No. 1, then the second channel of control must be takeii in hand. This 

 would entail quarantine restrictions, and the prohibition of the move- 

 ment of cows, either that have aborted, or have been in a herd in which 

 abortion has occurred. This would be such a drastic procedure and 

 such a heavy loss to owners that I will leave you to consider which course 

 it were wiser to adopt. 



In conclusion, let me urge upon you to keep your females, every 

 female killed destroys a potential increase. Let every female of breeding 

 age stand in the position of invested capital to you from which you will 

 annually draw your interest in the shape of calves and milk. 



The market of the world requires some concern to supply meat, Aus- 

 tralia offers the finest opportunity for the foundation of such a concern, 

 get a share in the shape of a female. Do not be led away by high prices 

 now to dispose of your share, rather use your utmost endeavour to obtain 

 more shares. The price of them will not go back. 



