Abortion in Cows. 
44T 
mitted in the manner already mentioned. Ergot was found in all tho 
pastures near home, especially and most abundantly in the best pasture. 
Such was the history communicated to me in Sept. 1885, when we examined 
the pastures. I then requested Mr. B. to make a note of the important points 
in connection with any subsequent abortions which might occur, and to let 
me know when such an event took place. In Jan. 1886 I took plans of all 
his sheds, noting the condition of each animal with respect to her period of 
gestation, &c. I gave a copy of these plans to Mr. B., and requested him to 
fill in each delivery, whether premature or not, and such other particulars as 
he considered important. This he has done. 
He has five sheds at home, and an old bam some 300 yards distant fitted 
up for 18 animals, in which are kept heifers and cows not in-milk. No. 5 
shed has lately been used — for isolation purposes. I give plans of Nos. 1, 2, 
3, and 5 sheds (pp. 448, 449). No. 4 I do not give, as this year it contained 
only one in-calver, which has calved at full time. 
I reluctantly withhold the plan of his barn-shed, as it is unreliable for the 
purpose of ascertaining the influence of infection ; from the fact that though 
each animal had an allotted stand, and usually occupied it, they were not 
strictly restricted to such allotted stands. For example, if on returning from 
grazing, No. 1 entered No. 6 stand, she was allowed to remain there for the 
night. 
I have the plan before me, with the positions which the animals usually 
occupied ; no part appears to have acted as a special nidus for the disease. 
It is a great pity sucli laxity was allowed in this shed, as most of the animals 
mentioned below resided here for a longer or shorter period. 
Mr. B., in 1885, after the regular haymaking was over, mowed the most 
luxuriant parts of the pasture adjoining the bara, and converted it into hay. 
This, with other hay, was placed in the loft of the barn, and was during the 
winter given to the animals residing there. On two occasions I examined 
this hay, but failed to find ergot ; yet some of the spikes had a very 
suspicious appearance, and on wetting a spikelet from such with a drop of 
water, and placing the latter under the microscope, conidia, much, but not 
exactly, like those found on the growing ergot, were visible. 
Mr. B. has recently told me he found ergot in the above-mentioned barn 
pasture in Oct. and Nov. 1885. So that though I did not succeed in finding 
specimens of undoubted ergot in this hay, I think it probable ergot was 
present, though so small as not to project beyond the pales. 
The animals in the barn were turned out to graze the greater part of each 
day during winter, and were frequently in the barn pasture ; so that they 
had a probable chance of partaking of ergot in the hay whilst in, and a 
certain opportunity of picking it up whilst out at grass. 
The cows at home were also turned out daily, but only for an hour or so. 
I will now give the cases as they have occurred since Sept. 1885. 
In No. 2 shed, 7 and 8 stands, were two cows, which had been served by 
the same bull within a few days of each other. The one in No. 8 stand 
aborted late in Oct., and was not removed ; her companion of the same stall 
remained healthy, and calved at her full time, Dec. 24. 
Nov. 26, a cow (h) in No. 3 shed. No. 6 stand, showed symptoms of 
aborting. She was removed that day to No. 5 shed, No. 3 stand, and aborted 
the following day, Nov. 27. On Dec. 1st a heifer was brought from the barn 
to No. 3 shed, No. 6 stand (c) (the one in which the previous animal had 
been), to fatten; she was here fed on straw, turnips, meal, and cake (no 
hay or water). On Dec. 26 she aborted, and was removed on Dec. 27 to 
No. 5 shed, No. 1 stand. These two cases succeeding each other from the 
same stand would seem to point directly to infection as the cause. They 
are certainly the most suspicious of any I have met with. But mark the 
