156 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



243. Infection in calves.— It is a good practice not to feed 

 milk from a cow, which has just aborted, to calves, since the specific 

 organism has been found in milk and since it may enter through 

 the digestive tract. However, this is only a partial safeguard 

 since cows which have not yet aborted may be infected and may 

 infect their milk. 



244. Infection from bull. — Since infection is possible through 

 the bull, the question comes up as to what preventive measures 

 should be used with him. Here we are handicapped by lack of 

 knowledge. This method of infection is difficult to combat and 

 we do not know how big a factor it is and thus how much it is 

 worth while to try to do. Some douche the sheath of the bull 

 before and after each service. This could be done after instruction 

 from a veterinarian but we do not know whether it is worth while 

 or not. A periodic examination of the bull by a veterinarian would 

 help but we are not prepared to say that the danger of infection 

 is great enough from this source to justify the cost of the service. 



This brings up the question of how far the breeder should go 

 in getting veterinary service in connection with abortion. This 

 depends on the value of the herd and the distance from the vet- 

 erinarian. We believe he can be of service in advising as to sani- 

 tary measures to be carried out, in examining the cows and bull, 

 in cleaning out the genital organs, etc., and that with the real 

 support and co-operation of the owner he can keep the herd reason- 

 ably free from the disease. 



245. Liberal feeding a help. — Improper feeding cannot 

 cause an infection but it may put the animal in such a condition 

 as to be more susceptible to it. A properly fed animal will resist 

 infection where a poorly fed one will succumb. As regards repro- 

 duction troubles, experience seems to indicate that the liberal 

 feeding of heifers makes them less likely to abort. A cow which 

 depletes her reserves during a heavy and prolonged lactation 

 should reasonably be expected to stand the strain of calving 

 better if these reserves are built up during the dry period. This 

 consideration is being given particular attention at the present 

 time with respect to the feeding of minerals. Both experimental 



