442 
Abortion in Cows. 
winter. These crops are found to be valuable, and well worth 
running some amount of risk to obtain. 
In conclusion, I should like to express my thanks to the many 
correspondents who have so kindly responded to my enquiry. 
The great bulk I have been unable to use ; but I have read them 
through carefully, and I do not think any salient point has been 
omitted, but that each is noted in one or other of the selected 
replies. 
XVI. — Abortion in Cows : — An Inquiry into several local Out- 
breaks of this Affection, occurring in the neighbourhood of 
Kirkhy Overblow, Yorkshire. By C. J. B. Johnson, 
L.R.C.P., «&c. 
This malady has been prevalent to a greater or less degree in 
this neighbourhood for generations, at times to such an extent 
as to ruin some stockowners, and very seriously inconvenience 
many. My enquiries commenced about twelve months ago, 
and include, so far as I know, all cases, except a few arising 
from injuries, which have occurred within four miles of my 
house during the past seven or eight years, and a few beyond 
that distance. 
I have said " so far as I know," because I have frequently 
found a disinclination on the part of the unfortunate farmer to 
admit that such an occurrence had taken place amongst his 
herd ; from the fact that in this neighbourhood it is universally 
considered to be an infectious disease when two or more cows 
abort in quick succession without known injuries. In the 
vernacular it is designated " Pick," or " Right Pick." 
Should there be a considerable interval between the cases, it 
is not considered infectious, and is designated " not the right 
Pick." The latter is regarded as being in the ordinary course 
of events ; but the former is greatly dreaded, as it is popularly 
supposed to hang about the farm for three years, and then as 
mysteriously to take its departure as it had its entrance. For, 
with very few exceptions, the source from which the first of 
each herd was supposed to be infected was totally unknown. 
Neither could a reason be assigned for its final departure beyond 
that of its allotted time. 
My attention was first particularly drawn to this subject by 
seeing a cow which had recently aborted. I asked the owner, a 
very intelligent man, the cause of it ; he replied, " he supposed 
it was smittle" (Yorkshire for infection), as he had had over 
twenty similarly affected animals during the past year. I said 
