PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT , 



ance of the predisposing causes already mentioned, (a) Ab- 

 stention from improper floors and gutters, and railway journeys 

 for pregnant animals. Confining pregnant cows so that they 

 cannot mix with those in heat, (b) Anemia and malnutrition 

 is corrected by feeding grains and by the use of iron and gen- 

 eral liberal diet, (c) Special disorders are combated. An abund- 

 ance of water before cows will prevent calculus, together with feed- 

 ing roots, ensilage, etc. Warm water for drinking and avoidance 

 of sudden changes in diet. If ergot is prevalent the grass or grain 

 must be cut before they go to seed, or the hay may be fed after the 

 seed has been removed by threshing. Ergotized or smutty fodder 

 may be fed to some extent if the animals at the same time receive 

 plenty of succulent food, as ensilage and roots, and water. The 

 growth of ergot and smut may be prevented greatly by soaking the 

 seed in a saturated solution of copper sulphate or bluestone. 



The substitution of hoed crops for several years in place of 

 ergotized or smutty grains or corn (turnips, beets, potatoes) to- 

 gether with drainage, will rid the ground of the pest. 



Treatment of Threatened Accidental Abortion. — If the water 

 bags have not presented or the waters escaped, give two ounces of 

 laudanum and keep the animal absolutely quiet in stall. Repeat in 

 three or four hours. 



Treatment of Contagious Abortion. — This is chiefly pre- 

 ventive. Cows aborting, or threatened with abortion, should be 

 removed to a separate barn or, if this is impossible, to a separate 

 part of the barn. When single cases of abortion occur without any 

 sufficient cause apparent, it is often impossible to know whether 

 the case is accidental or contagious and it should be treated as 

 contagious. 



The fetus and membranes should be burned. The premises oc- 

 cupied by the sick animal should be disinfected as follows : Remove 

 all bedding and dirt possible and spray all available parts of barn 

 with 3 % formalin or 5 % carbolic acid solution. Apply white- 



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