912 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



ounce of sweet spirits of niter, or four ounces of whisky, two or 

 three times a day, as may be necessary, for a day or two, after 

 which there is generally no danger. 



Another trouble which sometimes occurs is the retaining of 

 the membranes (cleaning, as it is often called). In such cases, 

 force should not be too hastily employed, especially in a mare. 

 If it should be in a cow, restrict the diet, and 



Take Epsom Salts, 4 ounces. 



Gentian, powdered, ...... 4 drams. 



Ginger, powdered, ..... 2 drams. 



Water, ........ 1 pint. 



Mix, and give at one dose, and repeat the dose in three hours, 

 and if it still does not come away, anoint the hands and arms 



with 



Carbolic Acid, ...... 1 dram, 



Vaseline, ....... 16 drams, 



and get hold of the membranes with one hand and, with the 

 other introduced into the womb, break away the attachments be- 

 tween them and the womb which are many in the cow ; one 

 in the mare and when it is removed, syringe the parts with 

 water and carbolic acid, as already given. 



Abortion. Abortion among cows is one of the most dis- 

 astrous things that can occur in a cattle community. It often 

 occurs without any known cause, and from a few cases it 

 spreads and goes through an entire community. Sometimes it 

 appears to be an epizootic condition, or it sticks to a certain 

 section of country, and just beyond a certain limit cattle are 

 free from it. 



CAUSES. As has been said, it sometimes occurs without any 

 cause being known, while in other cases a cause has been attrib- 

 uted. Certain kinds of grasses have been supposed to cause it; 

 also bacteria, or parasites. Malaria may cause it in a cow (it 

 does cause it in the human). It may be caused by smelling a 

 dead animal, or eating over the graves of dead animals ; by eat- 

 ing grasses, or other food, containing ergot; by eating frozen 

 vegetables or drinking a draught of cold water; by kicking or 

 pounding an animal, as is so often done ; by eating any over- 



