462 
Abortion in Cows. 
immediately removed to a distant part of the farm. June 10th, a cow 
aborted in the " cow pasture." The cows and heifers had not been together 
since May 14th. The " cow pasture " and " feeding pasture " are parallel 
fields, with two small meadow fields, not in the occupation of Mr. P., inter- 
vening between them. Both are of sandy soil, and are bounded on the south 
by a stream. Adjoining which is a boggy place in each field. The stream 
runs from the " cow pasture " to the " feeding pasture." 
The third case was a heifer in the "feeding pasture," on July 8th, at 
about half time. 
The fourth was a heifer, two months off, on July 18th, in the same field. 
Mr. P.'s cows and heifers were sei-ved by four bulls belonging to neighbours ; 
he cannot remember by which each animal was served, but is sure that these 
four cases were not all by the same bull. 
Ergot nowhere visible in this neighbourhood at present, July 23rd. 
Total number, 5.* 
Farm 30. — Mr. J. C.'s. Mr. C. keeps 3 or 4 cows. In August 1882 a 
heifer aborted about three months off, not separated from the others. In 
October 1883 a heifer aborted, seventeen weeks gone. This is the cow referred 
to in Case 24 as " Clapham's " cow, which subsequently aborted twins. About 
the same date a beifei", supposed to be eighteen weeks gone, came bulling ; 
she had probably aborted nnobserved whilst out. 
In December a cow aborted seven weeks off. 
In March 1885 another cow did so at about the same period of gestation. 
Total number, 4 or 5. 
Conclusion. 
I have now given extracts from my notes of every outbreak of 
this malady which has occurred in this district during the past 
eight years, so far as I know. I have purposely omitted notes 
of a few isolated cases which took place previous to the com- 
mencement of these investigations. 
It is quite possible that in some instances, even where it has 
assumed the form of an epidemic, its presence has been so 
secretly kept as to have escaped my frequent enquiries. 
So universal is the belief in its infective properties, that where 
I know the malady exists, or has been recently present, I have 
' T- 
* On August 11 til, a heifer in "feeding pasture" calved apparently at full 
time. August 17th, a cow in "cow pasture" aborted at about half time, no 
premonitory symptoms being oliscrvcd, as she was milked and appeared as usual 
in the morinug. On the 21st, by my recommendation, all the in-calvers were 
removed to fogg fields : up to this date, October Cth, no further abortions have 
taken place, though one or two cows are very near their full time. Mr. 1'. now 
tliinks his cows must have been Ciisting their calves previously to May, as ho has 
only one yearling on his farm of his own breeding. Tlie calves eilher being 
born dead, or dying in a few days after birth. Being liiinself rather delicate and 
frequently unable to superintend such matters personally, he had attributed such 
frequent occurrences to neglect or mismanagement, never thinking of premature 
delivery. In September I discovered ergot in the " feeding " aud " cow " 
pastures, though only in small quantities, as from tlie dry summer they had been 
e;iten so bare as to jireseiit but few grasses on which it could bo api)arent. If 
ergot was the cause of tlusc abortions, it must have been of last year's growth, 
and picked up by the animals when baring the pastures so closely. 
October 4tli. More grasses iu seed present ; nearly or quite ouc-half of such 
being infested witli ergot. 
