ol6 Report of the Special Committee on Abortion in Cattle. 
universally agreed that it was undesirable to use them for this 
purpose shortly after abortion, and it was admitted generally that 
the safe course is to feed the animal for the butcher. 
15. Most of the witnesses, in answer to the question as to the 
importance of proving whether or not the disease is contagious, 
expressed their belief that it was extremely desirable that the matter 
should be set at rest. 
16. The information which was elicited from the witnesses, and 
also from the replies to the circular letter of questions, suggests that 
very little is being done by way of preventive treatment. Three or 
four stockowners stated that they had tried the method of disinfec- 
tion by the use of bi-chloride of mercury, three of them with suc- 
cess ; but the evidence generally suggests that the most ordinary 
sanitary precautions, even the obvious one of destroying or burying 
the aborted foetus, are frequently neglected. 
Summary of Evidence. 
17. From the whole of the evidence which has come before the 
Committee, it is certain that abortion of the epizootic form is 
exceedingly prevalent in this kingdom, and that it occasions very 
serious losses — in fact, that it is, as Clater asserted more than a 
hundred years ago, one of the curses of the breeder ; and it would 
appear that for some years past it has been on the increase. It is also 
clear that in the country generally it is accepted very much in the 
light of a curse for which there is no remedy, and stockowners in 
general do not take any steps for its prevention. 
18. The theory of contagion is almost universally accepted ; and 
it may be allowed that the theory fits in most accurately with the 
observed facts. But, on the other hand, it must be affirmed that 
there is no proof that the disease is one of the true contagia. This 
question could only be settled by a series of experiments, which 
must be carried over a considerable period and would necessarily be 
costly. 
19. In the majority of cases no cause for an outbreak of abortion 
can be traced ; it is only in occasional instances that the evidence 
appears to point to the introduction of a fresh cow, which is first 
attacked, or to the use of a particular bull, or to some accidental 
circumstances of the kind to which reference has already been 
made. 
20. As to the influence which is exercised by domestication it is 
difficult to express any positive opinion ; but there appears to be no 
doubt that the most highly cultivated breeds and those that are 
placed in the most artificial conditions have less of the resistant 
power which is expressed by the word “ stamina ” than those which 
are placed under more natui-al conditions. On the other hand, it is 
alleged with perfect truth that abortion often occurs in animals 
which are left to shift for themselves, and are, in short, the subjects- 
of neglect and unsanitary treatment. 
