Abortion in Cores. 
477 
underneath which is millstone grit. I have also noticed that 
the north side of Kirkby Overblow, where the land is of a 
lighter consistence, the malady is nearly unknown. Mr. Toope 
has made special enquiries as to its presence around Knares- 
borough, which is on the magnesian limestone, with the result 
that it is extremely uncommon, and anything approaching an 
epidemic has not taken place there in recent years. 
To ascertain if the nature of the soil is really an important, 
though indirect, agent in the production of this affection, 
or whether the circumstances noted in connection with this 
series of outbreaks are merely coincidences, must be settled 
either affirmatively or negatively by more extended observations. 
That the land itself can directly produce the disease I do not 
believe, as some of the serious outbreaks took place whilst the 
cattle were indoors altogether, but it may possibly indirectly 
contribute to it : — 
1. By favouring the growth of the very frequent host of the 
fungus — rve-grass. 
2. From its physical character it might retain the spores of 
ergot on its surface longer than would be the case on a more 
porous soil. 
3. It is just possible that grasses grown on clay land may 
possess some chemical constituent favourable to the growth of 
the fungus ; such chemical constituent either being in excess of 
that in grasses grown on lighter soil, or an additional one. 
These are merely surmises on my part. 
SUMIIAET. 
To summarise the foregoing : — 
1. Three hundred cases of abortion have taken place within a 
small area.* 
2. Two hundred of these have been within two miles of 
Kirkbv Overblow on stiff clav-land. 
3. On light lands in this neighbourhood serious outbreaks 
are unknown. 
4. Imperfections in bulls, bad water, infection, sympathy, 
(Sec, have had little or no effect in contributing to this malady, 
5. Cows abort in each month of the year, and at any period 
of gestation after the fourth month. In the later months calves 
are frequently born living ; at other times generally fresh, rarely 
putrid. 
6. An animal which has once aborted, may or may not do so 
again. 
* Since the above was writteii, my investigations have extended to nearlv 
400 ca^es. 
