PREVENTION 42 1 



for a longer time if neglected. The cause is not known. He 

 reports that when it becomes established it is highly conta- 

 gious. It appears to be spread by copulation. 



§ 324. Prevention. The prevention of this disease 

 seems to rest in the isolation of all affected animals. It is 

 important, therefore, that its diagnosis be made at the earliest 

 possible moment. As it is not spread except bj' copulation, it 

 is a comparatively easy disease to control if taken in time. 



Prophylaxis. — In Austria where the disease has ex- 

 isted for a long time, the following rules are observed' 

 Baldrey states that they sum up the necessary preventive 

 measures. It is understood that they apply to a country in 

 which the disease is prevalent : — 



"(i) Even when there is nothing to lead to the suppo- 

 sition that the disease exists, every mare about to be put to 

 the horse shall be carefully inspected, and refusal made to old 

 and weakly mares, or to those which have a discharge from 

 the vulva, or have that organ enlarged or swollen, or which 

 do not present the ordinary manifestations of oestrum. It is 

 also suggested that an edematous swelling, no matter where 

 situated, should negative covering. 



"(2) The stallion's penis to be carefully and frequently 

 examined, and on no account is the animal to be used if there 

 is the slightest lesion upon it. He is to be kept secluded until 

 all doubt as to the nature of the lesion has passed away. 



"(3) Give every information possible to breeders as to 

 character, etc. , of the disease. 



"(4) Immediate information is to be given in all cases of 

 stallions in the least suspected, and the necessary steps taken. 



"(5) To prevent extension, the sale of all mares in the 

 affected areas to be stopped during the prevalence of the 

 disease. 



"(6) If the malady has spread in a district, all breeding 

 stallions to be stopped employment, whether Government or 

 private propertv. Those already diseased to be sequestrated 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



