Prevention of Abortion. 243 



animals off appetite, causing temporary indigestion, and 

 sometimes evident shrinkage of flesh. 



In milk cows, though there be a greater demand for 

 blood, and for food to form it, the limits of safe degrees 

 and rates of expansion in the arteries of different cows 

 are soon reached. We have stated, in the table, the 

 safe rate of increase in yield, and in udder-supply artery 

 capacity, and quantity of blood, at 12 per cent yearly, in 

 young cows till the age of maturity ; and by reading the 

 chapter on " How Good Cows are Produced," and parts 

 of others — see introduction — the treatment necessary to 

 prevent abortion will be understood in principle and 

 detail. 



Over-rapid and extreme rates of increase in feed or 

 blood, and consequently in yield, has originated the abor- 

 tion trouble ; therefore, the only apparent alternative 

 treatment which can prevent abortion, is in the conserva- 

 tive direction of slow change; or moderation in degrees of 

 increase in feed ; more steadiness in carrying out the 

 motto, "Excelsior," making less haste to get large yield, 

 and thereby increasing the certainty of achieving that end, 

 by exercising more caution and care. Such a course in- 

 vites fewer risks, accidents, or catastrophes, that are at 

 once costly without advantage, and cruel without neces- 

 sity. 



That a moderate course in. feeding cows or increasing 

 their feed is best, is consistent with the motto of Seneca, 

 and, according to ages of experience by the peoj^le of 

 Holstein and Holland, where, from the necessity of the 

 case, large yielding capacity has been but very gradually 

 developed, by only moderate increase of feed, extending 

 through long periods of time. 



The most simple causes are usually least suspected and 

 last discovered, as in the case of abortion. But the dairy- 

 men of the future may congratulate themselves in having 



