68 GUIDE TO DAIRYING IN SOUTH AFRICA 



classed as a specific disease. The virulent agent 

 exists in the discharge of the genital canals and in 

 the foetal fluid, and through the means of these fluids 

 healthy animals become infected. It is proved that 

 infection may occur by the cows swallowing the 

 organisms in their food, or it may be spread by the 

 bull serving first a diseased cow and then straight to 

 a healthy one. It is usually introduced into the herd 

 through a new purchase or through allowing your 

 bull to serve your neighbours' cows. This infectious 

 abortion may occur in the very best-kept stables, 

 which proves that filth is only a secondary cause. 



Treatment. Newly purchased dairy stock should 

 always be kept somewhat apart from the rest of the 

 herd until sure that they are healthy. Destroy by 

 fire, or burying very deeply, the foetus, membranes, 

 and bedding, etc., of all aborted animals. Disinfect 

 as far as possible the stables in which the animal 

 has been standing. Whitewash the walls and give 

 plenty of light in the stalls. Cover the whole floor 

 with a thin coat of air-slaked lime each day, also 

 spray the entire stable with a solution of creolin 

 twice or three times per week. Do not allow the 

 same boy or man to attend to the sick and healthy 

 animals alike. Wash out the wombs of all affected 

 cows with i to 1000 solution of perchloride of mer- 

 cury. Do not breed from these animals for a year. 

 Disinfect the bull's sheath before and after each ser- 

 vice, and change the grazing of the herd if possible. 



