ABORTION. 35 



isolated for three weeks or longer if it is neces- 

 sary, certainly until she is thoroughly cleansed 

 of the disease. I have for many years pre- 

 vented any serious loss in this way. 



This trouble must be grappled with vigor or 

 it will spread through the dairy. Do not try to 

 make yourself believe it is not the contagious 

 form but treat it as though you knew it was, as 

 this is the only safe method. 



Abortion from Ergot. — ^Ergot will cause abor- 

 tion. I once had several cases caused by ergot 

 of rye that was cut with clover hay from a field 

 that had rye the previous year and the clover 

 had some of the volunteer crop of rye, which I 

 found on examination to be quite badly ergot- 

 ized. I have had it caused by ergotized pasture 

 grass on land that had been overflowed during 

 the summer. 



Prevention and Treatment. — The following is 

 copied from The Monthly Bulletin, Vol. Ill, No. 

 12, of the Missouri State Board of Agriculture: 



"Take every precaution to prevent the introduc- 

 tion of the disease into the herd. It is prudent not 

 to introduce a recently purchased pregnant female 

 into the herd until her calf is dropped normally, un- 

 less you know that the herd from which the purchase 

 is made is free from the disease. Separate quarters 

 should be provided for these animals. Non-pregnant 

 cows purchased at public sales, unless they are heif- 

 ers that have never been bred, are probably a greater 



