ABORTION 161 



ABORTION. 



This accident is by no means of so common occurrence in the sow 

 as in many of our other domesticated animals. There are various 

 causes which will tend to produce it ; insufficiency of food, eating 

 too much succulent vegetable food, or unwholesome unsubstantial 

 diet ; blows and falls will also induce it ; and one very prevalent 

 cause arises from this animal's habit of rubbing itself against hard 

 bodies in order to allay the irritation produced by the vermin or cu- 

 taneous eruptions to which swine are subject. 



Reiterated copulation does not appear to produce abortion in the 

 sow, at least to the extent it does in other animals. 



The symptoms indicative of approaching abortion are similar to 

 those of parturition, only more intense. There is generally rest- 

 lessness, irritation, and shivcrings : and the cries of the animal tes- 

 tify the presence of severe labor-pains. Sometimes the rectum, 

 vagina, or uterus becomes relaxed, and one or the other protrudes, 

 and often becomes inverted at the moment of the expulsion of the 

 foetus, preceded by the placenta, which presents itself foremost. 



Nothing can be done to prevent abortion at the last hour ; all 

 that we can do is, from the first to remove every predisposing cause. 

 The treatment will depend upon circumstances. Where the animal 

 is young, vigorous, and in high condition, bleeding will be beneficial, 

 not a copious blood-letting, but small quantities taken at different 

 times ; purgatives may also be administered. If, when abortion haa 

 taken place, the whole of the litter are not born, emollient injections 

 may be resorted to with considerable benefit ; otherwise the after 

 treatment should be much the same as in parturition, and the ani- 

 mal should be kept warm, and quiet, and clean, and allowed a cer 

 tain degree of liberty. 



Whenever one sow has aborted, the breeder should immediately 

 look about for the causes likely to- have induced this accident, and 

 endeavor, by removing them, to secure the rest of the inhabitants 

 of his piggery from a similar fate. 



In cases of abortion, the foetus is seldom born alive, and often has 

 been dead for some days ; where this is the case and whether it is 

 so or not will be easily detected by a peculiarly unpleasant putrid 

 exhalation, and the discharge of a fetid liquid from the vagina the 

 parts should be washed with a diluted solution of chloride of lime, 

 in the proportions of one part chloride to three parts water, and a 

 portion of this lotion may be gently injected into the uterus if the 

 animal will submit to the doing so. Mild doses of Epsom salts, 

 tincture of gentian, and ginger will also act beneficially in such 

 cases, and with attentior to diet, soon restore the animal. 



