Preface vii 



ally another view which appears more logical, is in harmony 

 with the general principles of pathology, and is in full ac- 

 cord with all data recorded by the believers in specific in- 

 fectious abortion. That portion of the volume designated 

 "The General Genital Infections" must be regarded as the 

 cornerstone ; if the principles it has been attempted to estab- 

 lish there break down, it fails as a systematic treatise. The 

 principles which it is attempted to establish place the com- 

 mon and most destructive genital infections upon a plane 

 analogous to wound infection. Various bacteria exist in the 

 genitalia of both sexes of all ages and species. The virulence 

 and variety vary at different times and in different indi- 

 viduals. They are modified by general health, coitus, preg- 

 nancy, parturition and other critical incidents in life. 



The belief in a specific infectious abortion logically de- 

 mands for the control of the disease the isolation of the 

 pregnant female from all possible carriers of infections ; in 

 this treatise it is held that physiologic reproduction is based 

 upon coitus between two sexually healthy animals. The first 

 is a hypothesis of despair, confirmed by lamentable failure 

 over a period of twenty-five years : the latter a doctrine of 

 hope, supported by success. Before publishing this treatise 

 it was regarded as essential that the principles should have 

 been tried thoroughly and proven successful in the crucible 

 of practical clinical application. This has been a difficult 

 task requiring unbounded and infinite patience under great 

 discouragements and against opposition. 

 ' The treatise is inevitably very imperfect in every part, 

 and those who are inclined to criticise will have excellent 

 opportunity. But the volume was not made to cause or to 

 avoid criticism. It is a first effort in a new field which, it is 

 hoped, may be helpful to some and which may serve to 

 awaken a new interest in the diseases interfering with re- 

 production in animals. The call of the hour to veterinarian 

 arid breeder is for increased efficiency of each domestic ani- 

 mal. The room for animal numbers is decreasing, while the 

 demand for service in the production of milk, meat, labor or 

 other products is increasing. Most of the great animal 



