628 VETERINAEY HYGIENE 



EPIZOOTIC ABTHEITIS. 



This disease, due to septic organisms entering the system 

 by the umbihcus, attacks foals, calves, and lambs. It is an 

 extremely serious and very fatal affection, and is found to 

 hang persistently to some breeding establishments, where 

 it causes a heavy annual loss. 



The organism in all probability always enters at the 

 umbilicus, and though it is said that improper feeding of 

 the dam, want of exercise, premature birth, or anything 

 which during pregnancy debilitates the system of the 

 mother, predispose to the disease, yet, in the majority of 

 cases, we are compelled to look for causes operating from 

 without. It is said that parturient fever in ewes and 

 abortion in mares is often associated with the disease, and 

 as these are dependent upon organisms which enter by the 

 genital tract, infection of the umbilical cord, and subse- 

 quent general infection is possible. 



It is, however, more likely that infection results after the 

 cord is separated, and that dirty surroundings, soiled litter, 

 or actual infection from the hands of attendants in tying or 

 dressing the cord are the most common causes. 



As the large majority of cases occur in males, it has been 

 suggested that infection may result from the urine. 



The preventive measures are attention to the hygiene of 

 the surroundings and complete disinfection. On the first 

 case occurring both dam and offspring should at once be 

 completely isolated, also the attendant ; if this is not done 

 further spread of infection will follow. The stable, box, or 

 lambing pen must be evacuated, thoroughly disinfected, and 

 all bedding in contact with the affected, manure, etc., should 

 be destroyed by fire. Attention must be directed to the 

 umbilicus of the other animals, both it and the surrounding 

 parts being thoroughly disinfected from birth onwards. 

 This precaution should be taken for several days, as expe- 

 rience shows the disease may appear from seven to twenty 

 days after birth. 



The hands of the attendant should never touch the 



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