716 DISEASES AXD ABKOBMALITIES OF THE YOUNG ANIMAL. 



improper food given to the motlier ; exposure to cold and wet ; and 

 infection. Bollinger admits that in certain establishments, in conse- 

 quence of over-crowding, the omphalitis of young animals may become 

 erysipelatous, and be due to an analogous infection to that which pro- 

 duces the oftentimes fatal inflammation of the umbilical cicati'ix in new- 

 born children in maternity hospitals. Eueif asserts that omphalitis is 

 more frequent in some years than others. 



There can scarcely be any doubt that, as Franck remarks, this 

 inflammation is due to contact of the atmosphere with the umbilical 

 wound, and to the ingress of germs which excite zymosis ; or to contact 

 with filth or putrid matters containing these germs. 



There can scarcely be a doubt, also, that the manner in which the 

 umbilical cord is divided at birth has an influence in the production of 

 this inflammation ; indeed, the separation or rupture of the cord neces- 

 sarily produces a wound that is readily absorbent under all circumstances, 

 until the remaining portion attached to the umbilicus becomes dry and 

 shrivelled. The exposed umbilical vein and artery in the Foal, the 

 double vein in Euminants, also increase this readiness to receive infection, 

 and consequent tendency to phlebitis ; and these vessels are occasionally 

 laid quite bare when tlie cord is divided close to the umbilical ring, and 

 their protecting sheath is removed. 



Franck gives an instance of this accident, which was witnessed in the 

 breeding sheds of the Munich Veterinary School. A Cow brought forth 

 twin calves, one of which — A — had the umbilical cord ruptured in the 

 usual way, while the other — B — had it torn asunder in a markedly 

 abnormal manner. Alongside this Cow stood another which had 

 recently calved, then was attacked with puerperal fever, and eventually 

 succumbed to that disease. The after-birth of this animal was allowed 

 to lie behind the Cow which had given birth to the twins ; so that there 

 was no lack of infection-producing material — the floor, straw, imple- 

 ments, as well as the hands of the cowmen, being impregnated with it. 

 The calf — B — which had the umbilical cord abnormally ruptured, 

 became affected with omphalitis ; while the other — A — with the wound 

 better protected, escaped infection and remained in good health. 



This cause of omphalitis must be frequently and extensively in opera- 

 tion among the Lambs of flocks of Ewes when abortions occur among 

 these, or when putrid matters are discharged from the vulva, or even 

 when gangrenous or septic mammitis is present among them. It is 

 often remarked that omphalitis sometimes appears among a greater 

 number of Lambs on a particular pasture ; and it is extremely probable 

 that careful investigation will lead to the discovery that many of these 

 outbreaks are largely, if not entirely, due to septic infection of this kind. 

 Franck has observed such occurrences in extensive cowsheds, when 

 sometimes of ten to fifteen Calves born within a few days of each other 

 and kept together, half the number have become affected with this 

 inflammation of the navel, and the remainder has escaped. 



It must be remembered, too, that the discharge from one diseased 

 umbilicus may afford sufficient material to infect a great many newly- 

 born animals, should circumstances prove favourable. 



Not only may contamination take place through actual contact with 

 objects soiled or impregnated by such infective material, but the air 

 itself, or flies, may prove media for its conveyance to the umbilical 

 wound. There may also be a special infection, as a consequence of 

 overcrowding in badly-ventilated dwellings — something analogous to 



