Systematic Control of Genital Infections in Herds 697 



C. The Systematic Control of Genital Infections in Herds. 



The handling of each phenomenon occurring in the course 

 of the genital infections of cattle, including the congenital 

 infections of calves, each independently of the other, is 

 wasted effort. Science and economy alike demand a syste- 

 matic effort aimed at the entire complex group, each effort 

 having a definite relationship to the activities in combatting 

 each other phenomenon in the problem as a whole. 



(1) When a breeder desires to improve the reproductive 

 efficiency of his herd, it is essential first to learn definitely 

 the state of sexual health of each animal of breeding age of 

 both sexes. The bull or bulls should be examined in detail, 

 as described on page 73, and under "The Genital Infections 

 of Bulls". If the bull or bulls are found unfertile or of low 

 fertility, they should be temporarily or permanently dis- 

 carded. The genital organs of each female of breeding age 

 should be examined in detail, as described on page 79, and 

 the findings recorded approximately as suggested on page 

 83. 



The females should then be arranged in five groups — 

 pregnant, probably pregnant, ready to breed, under treat- 

 ment or observation, and incurably diseased. The second 

 group (probably pregnant) is a tentative one which may be 

 eliminated sixty days after breeding, when pregnancy can 

 be diagnosed definitely. The incurably diseased should be 

 promptly eliminated from the herd. The handling of those 

 under treatment should be vigorous in order that the ani- 

 mals may be shifted to the group which is ready to breed as 

 rapidly as expedient. The first examination having been 

 recorded as suggested on page 83, each subsequent examina- 

 tion should be recorded as indicated in Fig. 212, and each 

 consecutive record attached to the original. Should an ani- 

 mal fail to respond to the measures applied, she should be 

 shifted at the earliest date of certainty to the incurable 

 group and eliminated. In large herds of purebred beef 

 cattle, the cows and heifers should not only be classified as 

 suggested, but should be separated into four separate groups 

 for economic handling, these groups consisting of pregnant, 



