CATTLE. 135 



more particularly from the sixth to the ninth month. The application of the term abortion 

 is generally restricted to those cases of miscarriage which take place at such an early period 

 o gestation that the foetus could not survive, while cases that occur later, when the offspring 

 is so completely formed as to be able to maintain an independent existence, are generally 

 denominated premature birth. 



The average period of pregnancy in the cow is about 284 days, and any cause that will 

 have a tendency to sever the foetal connection much before this time may be regarded as an 

 injury, since it disturbs and arrests in a measure the development and tranquility of the 

 young animal in the last stages of its uterine life, and everything that may have a tendency 

 to bring about this condition of severing the relationship existing between the dam and 

 offspring should be avoided. In the breeding of choice stock the loss of the calf is no small 

 item, while in some cases the cow either dies, or is rendered practically useless, remaining 

 for a long time in a feeble and sickly condition, and can neither be fattened nor made 

 useful in supplying milk. In rare instances we have known cows that have aborted to con 

 tinue in milk, but the milk was poor in quality and small in quantity. Cows are more liable 

 to abort than any other animal. As a rule, a cow that has once lost her calf will never 

 afterwards be a safe breeder, but will be liable to the same trouble again, while her presence in 

 the herd is a source of danger to others. 



It not unfrequently happens that unless precautionary measures are taken, abortion will 

 spread through an entire herd, although it cannot be properly regarded as contagious. Cases 

 are on record where fully twenty-five per cent, of a herd of cows have aborted in a single 

 year, and from no clearly ascertained cause. Whenever there is the least indication of this 

 evil making its appearance in a herd, the greatest caution should be used to prevent its 

 increase. The cow that is affected should be immediately excluded from all the others. The 

 sight or smell of the foetus or after-birth might produce such an excitement as to cause other 

 cows to abort, consequently great care should be exercised in this respect, and both be deeply 

 buried. The stable in which the affected cow has been confined should also be thoroughly 

 disinfected before being occupied by another animal. There may be, however, some local 

 cause for the evil to which the entire herd are exposed, and this must be removed before the 

 difficulty will cease. 



Principal Causes of Abortion. Anything that will have a tendency to excite or 

 disturb the intimate relationship existing between the mother and offspring, such as fright, 

 injuries received, or violent exertion, will be liable to cause abortion. Pregnant cows 

 should, therefore, be treated gently and kept as quiet and contented as possible. They should 

 never be treated harshly in any respect. Never permit a brutal man or boy to abuse them 

 with whip or voice. Great injury is often done by the employment of careless boys to drive the 

 cows, and the free use of the whip. Cows that are soon to come in should never be driven 

 out of a walk, over rough roads, worried by dogs, forced to climb steep hills, or jump over 

 bars, as is too frequently the case, when indifferent and incompetent help is employed on the 

 farm. It sometimes happens that the slant of the stable floor may be such as to produce a 

 constant strain on the body, and cause abortion. Lack of cleanliness, and insufficient bedding 

 will frequently be found to be the cause of the difficulty. Cows that are compelled to lie 

 upon a cold, damp, stable floor night after night, with no bedding for protection, cannot be 

 comfortable. Everything that has a tendency toward unsanitary conditions, or discomfort, will 

 be liable to do harm to a breeding animal. 



Want of sufficient food will not unfrequently cause abortion. Although the foetus 

 derives its nourishment from the mother, and grows at her expense, an ill-fed cow may 

 possibly produce a calf that has not suffered sufficient privation in its natural nutriment to 

 cause any serious injury to the latter, yet a pregnant cow, kept in a half-starved, weakened, 

 and emaciated condition, would be very susceptible to unfavorable influences and be more 



