io88 Veteri7iary Obstetrics 



and unusually highly kept cows and heifers, are exposed to 

 special dangers from the malady. Through grooming, with- 

 out proper precautions being taken, the disease is trans- 

 ferred to heifers and heifer calves, and the infection is al- 

 ready in the genital tract before the animal is bred. 

 Consequently, when the heifer is bred, the disease already ex- 

 ists, rendering fecundation difficult or impossible. Should the 

 heifer become impregnated, the chronic infection of the genital 

 tract, already present for months, imperils the life of the fetus 

 and may induce either abortion or premature birth, to be followed 

 b}' various complications. 



Another interesting question has been raised by the clinical 

 history of this herd. Mammitis of a very peculiar type sometimes 

 occurs in heifers which are threatening to abort. In such, a 

 severe, purulent mammitis now and then arises, causing atresia 

 of the milk cistern or larger milk canals, so that when the heifer 

 finally calves or aborts, one, two or more of the quarters are 

 blocked, and no milk can be withdrawn. 



At the time named there is an excessive vulvar discharge 

 which soils the perineum, tail, thighs and posterior portions of 

 the udder. Thus it is suggested that the disease may indirectly 

 cause some cases of mammitis. 



Herd 3. A third dairy inspected consisted of 87 cows, heifers 

 and heifer calves. In one stable containing 30 cows in milk, 27, 

 or 90%, were affected. In the same stable, in stalls compara- 

 tively detached, were 24 heifers and heifer calves, of which 6 or 

 25% were diseased, and 18 or 757^ apparently well. In two 

 other barns were 33 females, mostly cows, with some heifers one 

 year old or over, of which 31 or 94% were found affected. In 

 the entire herd of 87 females, 64 animals, or 74%. were affected. 

 There is at present no abortion in the herd. Four 5'ears since, 

 approximately 50% of the pregnant cows aborted, and the fol- 

 lowing year 25% aborted, since which time the herd has been 

 free from abortion. During this period of freedom, few if any 

 new cows have been introduced. While abortion prevailed, the 

 service bulls were subjected to disinfection of the penis and 

 sheath before service. Granular venereal disease was not in 

 mind, and not looked for by the veterinarian in charge. 



Since the cessation of abortion, sterility has prevailed to a de- 

 gree which has caused considerable economic loss. Three or 



