CATTLE. 325 



and managed in precisely the same way, abortion prevailed for years in 

 the one, while not a single case occurred in the other. Gaiter finds 

 that the virus from the aborting cow causes abortions in the sow, ewe, 

 goat, rabbit, and guinea-pig; and that if it has been intensfied by pass- 

 ing through either of the two last-named animals, it will affect also the 

 mare, bitch and cat. 



The precise germs or germ causing abortion have not yet been demon- 

 strated beyond question. Twenty years ago Franck, of Munich, drew 

 attention to a chain form of cells (L,eptothrix vaginalis) as the efficient 

 cause. The Scottish Commission have isolated in gelatin cultures five 

 different bacteria obtained from the vaginal mucus of the aborting cow, 

 and Nocard, of Alfort, speaks of a germ existing abundantly between 

 the womb and fetal membranes of aborting cows which was never found 

 in the healthy. 



Symptoms of Abortion. In the first two or three months of 

 pregnancy no symptoms may have been observed, and unless the aborted 

 product is seen the fact of abortion may escape notice. Some soiling of 

 the tail with mucus, blood, and the waters may be observed, or the udder 

 may show extra firmness, and in the virgin heifer or dry cow the pres- 

 ence of a few drops of milk may be suggestive, or the fetus and its mem 

 branes may be found in the gutter or elsewhere as a mere clot of 

 blood or as a membraneous ball in which the forming body of the 

 fetus is found. In water the villi of the outer membrane float out, 

 giving it a characteiistically shaggy appearance. 



In advanced pregnancy abortion is largely the counterpart of parturi- 

 tion, so that a special description is superfluous. The important thing 

 is to distinguish the early symptoms from those of other diseases, so 

 that the tendency may be arrested and the animal carried to full 

 time if possible. A cow is dull, sluggish, separate from the herd, 

 chewing the cud languidly, or there may be frequent lying down 

 and rising, uneasy movements of the hind feet or of the tail, and 

 slightly accelerated pulse and breathing, and dry muzzle. The im- 

 portant thing is not to confound it with digestive or ordinary disorder, 

 but in a pregnant cow to examine at once for any increase of mucus 

 in the vagina, or for' blood or liquid there or on the root of the tail; 

 for any enlargement, firmness, or tenderness of the udder, or in dry 

 cows milk, and above all for any slight straining suggestive of labor 

 pains. 



In many cases the membranes are discharged with the fetus; in 



