STATE HYGIENE 619 



Brown, in his communication previously quoted, lays 

 especial stress on the fact that preventive measures must 

 be persevered with for some time, as it is hopeless to see 

 abortion cease at once. During the first year it will be less 

 serious, but it will still show itself, for such cows as were 

 infected when the preventive measures began will almost 

 certainly abort. But, as Brown expresses it, all will cease 

 as if by enchantment by the second year, provided care and 

 exactitude have been paid to disinfection and isolation, and 

 the owner possesses the needful patience. 



Frequently cows which abort are fattened for the butcher, 

 as there is a widespread belief that abortion will again 

 occur ; if they are not fattened they should still be kept 

 isolated and a fresh bull provided, or if this is impossible 

 the sheath and penis of the bull should be disinfected after 

 each service. Cows should not, however, be put to the bull 

 while there is a trace of vaginal discharge, and not until at 

 least three periods of oestrum have elapsed. 



Statistics regarding abortion in ewes show that they may 

 vary from less than 2 per cent, to 24 per cent.* Two-thirds 

 of the abortions are less than 2 per cent., and McFadyean 

 points out that when no higher than 20 per cent, contagion 

 is not likely to be in operation, while when they are found 

 to be from 30 per cent, to 50 per cent., and affect simul- 

 taneously several neighbouring flocks, a suspicion of con- 

 tagion may be entertained. With sheep the interval which 

 elapses between successive pregnancies tends to interfere 

 with the spread of the disease. 



In the paper quoted, the cause of ordinary abortion in 

 ewes is attributed to the poor character of the food, and the 

 consequent impoverished state of the animals. 



BABIES. 



There is nothing easier to deal with than rabies where a 

 strong legislature exists, and few things more difficult when 



* 'Abortion, Barrenness, and Fertility in Sheep,' Mr. W. Heape. 

 M.A., Journal Boyal Agricultural Society, vol. x., part ii,, 1899. 



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