DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS 73 



a laxative dose of oil, or give a laxative with the feed. When 

 there is any indication of constipation, this should be practised. 

 Pregnant animals should be fed carefully. We may feed 

 animals that are not in this condition in a careless fashion, but 

 if pregnant, over-feeding, the feeding of a fattening ration, or 

 spoiled feed, and sudden changes in the feed can not be practised 

 with any degree of safety. A bulky ration of dry feed and 

 drinking impure, or too little, water may cause constipation, 

 acute indigestion and abortion. The ration fed should contain 

 the necessary inorganic and organic elements for the building 

 up of the body tissues of the foetus. 



At the end of the parturition period, separate quarters should 

 be provided. The mare or cow should be given a comfortable 

 clean stall away from the other animals. The ewe should be 

 provided wath a warm room if the weather is cold. It is always 

 best to give the sow a separate pen that is dry and clean, and 

 away from the other animals. All danger from injury to the 

 mother and young should be guarded against. 



Abortion.~The expulsion of the foetus at any time during 

 the period of gestation, when it is not sufficiently developed to 

 live independently of the mother, is termed abortion. Abortion 

 may be either accidental or infectious. Accidental abortion is 

 more commonly met with in the mare and sow than the in- 

 fectious form. In ruminants the opposite holds true. 



The causes of accidental almrtion are faulty methods of 

 feeding and care. Injuries, acute indigestion, mouldy, spoiled 

 feeds, chilling resulting from exposure and drinking ice-cold 

 water, nervousness brought on by fright, or excitement and 

 general diseases are the common causes of abortion. 



Infectious abortion is most common in cows. Other domes- 

 tic animals that may be affected are the mare, sow and ewe. 



It is caused by a specific genu. The Bacillus ahortu.s of 

 Bang is the cause of abortion in cows, but the specific germ that 

 produces abortion in other species of animals has not been proven. 



