ABORTION 111 



After a wet summer, when the hay is put up improperly, 

 the conditions for the development of fungi is especially favor- 

 able. Many fungi in themselves are unable to produce abor- 

 tion, but, by their action upon the albuminous bodies of the 

 plant, certain substances producing abortion may be generated 

 (Stockfleth). 



It has been observed that cows aborted which were fed 

 with beet molasses, a syrupy, dark-brown mass remaining 

 behind after crystallization of the sugar. Schneidemiihl thinks 

 that the cause of this is found in the great amount of potassium 

 and sodium salts. The feeding of clover which has been limed 

 is also said to have produced abortion (Schneidemiihl). 



(6) Medicaments introduced into the circulation, which 

 act especially upon involuntary muscles, which may produce a 

 hyperemia of the ovaries. Drugs of the first kind are : pilo- 

 carpine, eserine and creolin (Frohner). Their use is contra- 

 indicated in cows advanced in pregnancy. To the second group 

 belong : cantharides, mustard seed and many acrid diuretics. 

 Eueff states that 3 kg. of pulverized rape-cake may be given 

 with impunity to a grown cow, but when mixed with water 

 until sloppy may be injurious and cause abortion. According 

 to J. Lehmann, as a result of the soaking, an etherial oil similar 

 to mustard oil is developed. When such slops are exposed to 

 the air for a while, they are no longer harmful, as the oil 

 evaporates. 



3. All mechanical causes. Long drives, railroad travel, 

 especially when the animals are crowded, may produce abor- 

 tion. Here it may be the result of mechanical insults, or 

 follow disturbances as mentioned above (1 and 2). 



Vaginal exploration in the cow is hardly connected with 

 any danger. Of course a rough exploration may produce 

 abortion, but otherwise it rarely follows. The same refers to 

 cows which hook each other or when they fall (Beel). 



With regard to abortion from metrorrhagia, see " Metror- 

 rhagia." 



4. Previous abortion is said to be prone to produce abortion 

 in the succeeding period of pregnancy. Although it happens 



