Oil Abortion in Coios. 



7S 



and about to abort, none of the foresfolng symptoms (except the 

 discharge) are so plainly seen; in fact they are seldom detected 

 by those in ordinary attendance on catile. Hemorrhajre (or 

 copious flooding of blood), although so frequent and dangerous 

 a precursor of abortion in the human being, is not common in 

 cattle. 



The above symptoms may require a few days for their develop- 

 ment, or they may be prolonged over a week or more ; but if the 

 peculiar discharge continues, and increases in quantity, we may 

 be certain that abortion is at hand. The immediate approach of 

 the event is shown by the animal becoming evidently uneasy, by 

 her shifting from place to place, resting alternately on one hind 

 foot and then the other, twisting the tail, lying down and speedily 

 rising, arching the back and straining, quickened breathing, and 

 accelerated circulation. The symptoms and process of abortion 

 generally occupy less time and attract less notice than those 

 accompanying healthy parturition. 



When abortion is caused by mechanical injuries, such as blows, 

 strains in leaping, concussion in running, and so forth, the foetus 

 is sometimes suddenly passed into the neck of the uterus and 

 vagina, and retained there several days. During this period, 

 especially the early part of it, the cow is continually straining, 

 and suffers a great amount of irritative fever. In some instances 

 part of the foetus, as its head, neck, or legs, will protrude from 

 the vulva throughout the whole time, and become so firmly im- 

 pacted in the outer passages as to withstand any reasonable 

 amount of mere pulling force employed to extract it. In these 

 cases the life of the foetus has in all probability been suddenly 

 destroyed, and the uterus has contracted to expel what has be- 

 come a comparatively foreign body, before the external passages 

 have been sufficiently dilated to allow its free expulsion. 



If abortion take place during the early weeks of gestation, 

 the foetal membranes (commonly called cleansings), not having 

 formed a firm connection with the uterus, are usually expelled 

 along with the foetus. In the majority of cases occurring at more 

 advanced periods the cleansing is not expelled ; this is partly- 

 owing to its firm attachment to the uterus, and partly to its own 

 want of development and deficiency of healthy tone in the 

 uterus to effect its evacuation. This retention is often pro- 

 ductive of much distress and injury to the cow, and as de- 

 composition commences in the membranes on their separation 

 from the foetus, they are the continued source of a most offensive 

 odour and discharge. 



There are cases in which all these premonitory symptoms are 

 seen, but, instead of being followed by abortion, there is a gradual 

 arrest of the discharge, the belly of the cow slowly and almost 



