PREVENTIVE MEDICINE 277 



likely that some at any rate are due to the bacillus abortivo-cquinus, 

 since of 172 cases of joint-ill described by M'Fadyean and Edwards 

 not less than 87 showed suppuration of the navel. 



On account of the high mortality (probably not less than 80 per 

 cent.) the disease is an extremely serious one. 



Further light has been shed upon the subject by more recent 

 researches of M'Fadyean and Edwards.* Of 72 cases examined 

 by them 62-5 per cent, were due to streptococci, the remainder 

 being due to coliform and other organisms. In the great majority 

 of these cases abortion was not coexistent. 



From the foregoing it seems probable that infection in joint-ill 

 may occur either before or shortly after birth, but that in most cases 

 in which the disease- is contracted before birth the cause is the 

 bacillus abortivo-equinus. It is certain that the disease is often 

 seen under the best of hygienic conditions and is often absent from 

 the most objectionable buildings and surroundings. Inbreeding 

 has been considered to be a not unimportant predisposing factor, 

 though it is certain that the disease is frequently seen when in- 

 breeding has not occurred. 



PREVENTIVE MEASURES. When joint-ill is associated with 

 abortion, preventive measures must be directed toward the suppres- 

 sion of the latter disease (see Equine and Bovine Abortion). A pro- 

 tective serum (prepared by hyperimmunising horses to b. abortii'o- 

 cquinus) was issued by M'Fadyean and Edwards and was said 

 to have given encouraging results in practice. More recently, 

 however, in view of the importance of a streptococcus as the etio- 

 logical factor in those cases in which infection has occurred post 

 partum, an anti-streptococcic serum has been tried by the same 

 observers but unfortunately without much success. At the present 

 time, therefore, one can only confine one's attention to the umbilical 

 region, using for this purpose sublimate lotions or pure carbolic 

 acid. In addition one should follow the ordinary dictates of 

 hygiene, including cleanliness of the foal's surroundings, &c. 



WHITE SCOUR. 



White scour is an acute disease of sucking animals, chiefly calves, 

 though sometimes of foals, lambs and pigs. A persistent diarrhoea 

 with faeces of a characteristic yellowish colour is the outstanding 

 feature of the disease. Pneumonia with formation of abscess 

 cavities in the lungs and arthritis are lesions sometimes superadded. 

 The distribution of white scour is very general on the European 

 *Journ. Comp. Path., 1919, Vol. XXXII., p. 425. 



