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On Abortion in Cows. 



from the natural lochia, and if so copiously secreted as to inter- 

 fere with the comfort and health of the animal, we may advan- 

 tageously counteract its ill effects by occasionally syringing the 

 uterus with tepid water and diluted solutions of the chloride of 

 lime. Sulphate of iron in half- ounce doses, finely powdered, 

 and given twice daily among a mash, will be found a very useful 

 tonic ; it also seems to possess some effect in arresting the dis- 

 charge and in restoring the mucous membrane of the uterus to 

 its healthy tone. 



Cows, and especially young ones, which have aborted, and 

 have had great difficulty in delivery or in getting rid of the 

 cleansing, are frequently a long time before they will again 

 take bull." This indisposition for sexual connection with the 

 male, induced by injuries which the uterus has sustained and 

 the shock which the system as a whole has received, is best over- 

 come by giving tonic medicines, usmg every possible local appli- 

 cation to restore natural tone in the uterus, and especially by 

 allowing plenty of good food, air, and exercise. Inflammation 

 of the uterus sometimes succeeds abortion ; it is induced most 

 frequently by the rough usage to which the uterus is occasionally 

 subjected, and is known by the animal becoming feverish, being 

 off her feed, breathing quickly and laboriously, arching the back, 

 straining, and voiding considerable quantities of brownish-looking 

 fluid tinged with blood, which, in advanced stages of disease, is 

 mixed with portions of the inner lining of the uterus, emitting a 

 highly offensive odour. 



In treating this affection the uterus must be frequently but 

 gently syringed with tepid water; hot sacks or cloths wrung 

 from hot water must be laid on the loins ; the bowels must be 

 kept gently open by means of mild laxative medicine if required, 

 and plenty of tepid water or gruel must be given to drink. 

 When a favourable change is about taking place, the uterine 

 discharge becomes lighter in colour, and eventually assumes the 

 character of pus ; return of the appetite speedily follows, and a 

 rapid abatement of the fever is also obvious. This disease, when 

 owing to a considerable rent or tear in the uterus, is generally 

 fatal in a day or two. 



There are some few cases in which death succeeds abortion in 

 a remarkably short space of time, and seems to come on without 

 any apparent cause. It will, however, generally be found that 

 in instances of this decription the cow has been roughly handled, 

 has been many hours, and may be days, in painful labour, has 

 had little nourishment afforded, and was perhaps constitutionally 

 weak in the outset. 



