COMMON AILMENTS OF CATTLE 155 



air is pumped through the cotton into the udder. This is 

 con inued until the quarter is well distended with air, when 

 the tube is carefully withdrawn and a tape tied around the 

 teal tight enough to prevent the escape of the air. The 

 san e treatment is applied to each quarter. The teats are 

 allo.ved to remain tied. Ordinarily within two or three 

 hou 's the cow will regain consciousness and be able to stand 

 on ler feet. If the air is absorbed or escapes, so that the 

 uddor is not tightly distended, the tape should be removed 

 and another injection of air made as before. Usually two in- 

 ject ons are sufficient. The udder should remain full of air 

 fifteen hours at least, and longer if any sign of the trouble 

 remains. The calf of course is not allowed to suck during 

 this time. If inflammation of the udder follows, sufficient 

 care was not taken in disinfecting the apparatus. 



143. Abortion. This term is used by cattlemen to indi- 

 cate the premature birth of the calf. Abortion may be 

 accidental or the result of a contagious disease. The non- 

 contagious cases may occur as the result of injury, such as 

 a fall, the kick of a horse, or being crowded in a gate or door- 

 way. Severe sickness, such as indigestion or bloat, may 

 cause the trouble. If a single case occurs, it may be attrib- 

 uted to some accidental cause. If a number occur in the 

 same herd, it is almost certain that the specific disease known 

 as contagious abortion is present. 



This disease causes more loss financially to the dairymen of 

 the country than any other disease to which cattle are sub- 

 ject. As a result of the work of Dr. Bang of Denmark it is 

 now definitely known that this trouble is due to a certain 

 species of bacteria. The presence of these living organisms 

 in many cases, but not in all, results in premature birth of 

 the calf. It is thoroughly proved that the disease is con- 



