172 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



the seeds have filled. The most dangerous time appears to he 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 

 thrashing 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 drinlv. Both ergot and smut are most injurious in winter, when the 

 w^ater supply is frozen up or accessible only at long intervals. The 

 ergoted seed when thrashed 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 (tur- 

 nips, beets, ix)tatoes, buckwheat, etc.) which do not harbor the fimgus 

 and which require much cultivation and exposure of the soil. Drain- 

 age and the removal of all unnecessary barriers to the free action of 

 sunshine and wind are important provisions. 



Other precautions concerning separation from cows in heat — a 

 l^roper construction of stalls, the avoidance of carrion and other 

 offensive odors, protection from all kinds of mechanical injuries, 

 including overdriving 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 " 

 (p. 169). 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, has been held 

 to be useful. 



TREATMENT OF NONCONTAGIOUS ABORTION. 



Although the first symptoms of abortion have appeared, it does not 

 follow that it will go on to completion. 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 progi-ess. Every 

 appreciable and removable cause should be done away with, the cow 

 should be placed in a quiet stall alone, and agents given to check the 

 excitement of the labor pains. Laudanum in doses of 1 ounce for a 

 small cow or 2 ounces for a large one should be promptly administered 

 and repeated in three or four hours, should the labor pains recur. 

 This may be kept up for days or even weeks if necessary, though that 



