836 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ABORTION. 



An idea of the extent to which ' this prevails may be gained 

 from the fact that in the State of New York the annual loss by abor- 

 tion among cattle has been for several years more than $4,000,000. 

 The malady frequently becomes epidemic, and runs rapidly through 

 a herd, the cows aborting one after another. The causes are 

 numerous. It may be due to external violence or accident, to 

 smutty, moldy, or ergoted food, to riding of animals in heat or 

 teasing by the bull, to overfeeding, and to decaying animal refuse, 

 especially the abortion discharges of other animals. The last is 

 probably the immediate cause of its epidemic nature, though the 

 causes that produced it in the original instance have doubtless ren- 

 dered the herd peculiarly susceptible to it. For this reason it is of 

 the greatest importance to isolate every instance of it, remove all 

 vestiges of the fetus and of the after-birth, and thoroughly disinfect 

 and deodorize the premises. Smearing.the parts of the cow with tar 

 or stinking oil will help to destroy the smell. It is better to fatten 

 her for the butcher than to risk another pregnancy. 



Symptoms. — In the early period of pregnancy, abortion may 

 occur without any premonitory signs, the first intimation of it being 

 given by the animal's again being in heat. In later stages, the pre- 

 monitory signs resemble those of an ordinary parturition, except 

 that the change in the animal is sudden and accompanied with great 

 dejection. In some cases there is a muco-purulent discharge from 

 the vulva. 



Treatment. — Where abortion occurs in the early stages of gesta- 

 tion, there is usually little or no constitutional disturbance, hence 

 little active treatment is called for. But under all circumstances 

 the cow should be isolated, and kept from the herd for at least a 

 month. A moderate saline cathartic, followed by mineral tonics 

 and good food, will usually be all the treatment needed. 



In later abortion the constitutional disturbance is greater, and 

 frequently complications arise. If the after-birth has not been dis- 

 charged, it must be removed with the hand, without delay. Fleming 

 suggests the subsequent injection of a weak solution of carbolic acid. 

 This may be done twice a day for a week or more. In the event of 

 hemorrhage, it must be treated as prescribed for vaginal or uterine 

 hemorrhage. The animal must be kept warm, and free from expo- 

 sure to the weather, if it is damp or cold. Mineral tonics and 

 nourishing food should be given. 



Preventive Measures. — These are important, and must consist, in 

 the first place, of avoiding, so far as is possible, the causes that have 



