DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 507 



the usual time to the seventh, or almost the eighth month. The 

 symptoms of the approach of abortion, except the breeder is very 

 much among his stock, are not often perceived ; or if perceived 

 they are concealed by the cowherd, lest he should be accused of 

 neglect or improper treatment. 



"The cow is somewhat off her feed — rumination ceases — she 

 is listless and dull — the milk diminishes or dries up — the motions 

 of the foetus become more feeble, and at length cease altogether 

 — there is a slight degree of enlargement of the holly — there is 

 a little" staggering in her walk — when she is down she lies longer 

 than usual, and when she gets up she stands for a longer time 

 motionle.ss. As the abortion approaches, a yellow or red 

 glairy fluid runs from the vagina (this is a symptom which rarely 

 or never deceives) — her breathing becomes laborious and slightly 

 convulsive. The belly has for several days lost its natural rotun- 

 dity, and has been evidently falling — she begins to moan — the 

 pulse becomes small, wiry and intermittent. At length labor 

 comes on, and is often attended with much difficulty and danger. 



"If the abortion has been caused by blows or violence, whether 

 arising from the brutality of the cowherd, or the animal being 

 teased by other cows in season, or by unskillfully castrated oxen, 

 the symptoms are more intense. The animal suddenly ceases to 

 eat and to ruminate — she is uneasy, paws the ground, rests her 

 head on the manger while she is standing, and on her flank when 

 she is lying down — hemorrhage frequently comes on from the 

 uterus, or when this is not the case, the mouth of the uterus is 

 spasmodically contracted. The throes come on, they are dis- 

 tressingly violent, and they continue until the womb is ruptured. 

 Should not all these circumstances be observed, yet the labor is 

 protracted and dangerous. 



"Abortion is sometimes singularly frequent in particular dis- 

 tricts, or on particular farms. It seems to assume an epizootic, 

 or epidemic form. This has been accounted for in various ways. 



