192 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



of food are always reprehensible, but much more so in the pregnant 

 animal. Let the change be gradual. So with what is spoiled or 

 unwholesome. 



In case of prevalence of ergot in a pasture it should be kept eaten 

 down, or cut down with a mower, so that no portion runs to seed. (See 

 Plate v.) In case of a meadow the grass must be cut early before 

 the seeds have filled. The most dangerous time appears to be between 

 the formation of the milky seed and the full ripening. Yet the ergot 

 is larger in proportion to the ripeness, so that the loss of potency is 

 made up in quantity. The ripe seed and ergot may be removed by 

 threshing and the hay safely fed. It may also be noted that both 

 ergot and smut may be safely fed in moderate quantity, provided it is 

 used with succulent food (ensilage, roots, etc.) or with free access to 

 water, and salt is an excellent accessory as encouraging the animal to 

 drink. Both ergot and smut are most injurious in winter when the 

 water supply is frozen up or accessible only at long intervals. The 

 ergoted seed when threshed out can not be safely sown, but if first 

 boiled it may be fed in small amount or turned into manure. The 

 growth of both ergot and smut may be to a large extent prevented by 

 the time honored Scotch practice of sprinkling the seed with a satu- 

 rated solution of sulphate of copper before sowing. 



Fields badly affected with ergot or smut may be practically renewed 

 by plowing up and cultivating, for a series of years under crops (turnips, 

 beets, potatoes, buckwheat, etc.), which do not harbor the fungus, and 

 which require much cultivation and exposure of the soil. Drainage 

 and the removal of all unnecessary barriers to the free action of sun- 

 shine and wind are important provisions. 



Other precautions concerning separation from cows in heat, a proper 

 construction of stalls, the avoidance of carrion and other offensive 

 odors, protection from all kinds of mechanical injuries, including over- 

 driving and carrying by rail in advanced pregnancy, the exclusion of 

 all irritants, or strong purgatives and diuretics from food or medicine, 

 and the guarding against all causes of indigestion and bloating have 

 been sufficiently indicated under Causes. For protection of the womb 

 and fetus against the various causes of disease available methods are 

 not so evident. For cows that have aborted in the last pregnancy 

 chlorate of potash, 3 drams daily before the recurrence of the expected 

 abortion, is often useful. Prevention of contagious abortion will nat- 

 urally come with the treatment. 



Treatment of non-contagious abortion. Although the first symptoms 

 of abortion have appeared it does not follow that it will go on to com- 

 pletion. So long as the fetus has not perished, if the waters have not 

 been discharged, nor the water-bags presented, attempts should be 

 made to check its progress. Every appreciable and removable cause 

 should be done a^ay with, the cow should be placed in a quiet stall 



