512 A LECTURE ON THE DISEASES INCIDENTAL TO 
necessity of immediately separating’ any animal that may have 
aborted, or be likely to, from the remainder of the breeding 
cows; and rely on it, Gentlemen, those of you will best study 
your interest who make it a rule never to allow such animals 
again to return amongst your in-calf stock; they should be 
fattened and sold with as little delay as possible, as the chances 
of their becoming of value for breeding purposes (at any rate 
for several seasons), is very uncertain. At the same time the 
cow is herself separated, be especially particular that the foetal 
calf and all the attendant appearances be removed forthwith, 
and buried in some convenient spot, sufficiently distant to be 
beyond the sphere of influence. It is a very common practice 
to have the parts of the cow well smeared with tar or its pre- 
parations; and such a proceeding is certainly to be advocated, 
especially if the animal is not at once separated from her com- 
panions ; the application, also, of chloride of lime to such parts 
of the cow-house or other places as she at the time may have 
frequented, is decidedly to be recommended. 
In the foregoing remarks l have directed your attention more 
especially to the various causes likely to influence or induce this 
affection, and have endeavoured to point out the means whereby 
you may most reasonably hope to check such a tendency : these 
remarks have been made chiefly with reference to its pre- 
vention generally throughout your breeding stock ; hitherto I 
have omitted making any allusion to the treatment required in 
individual cases, whether immediately prior to or after abor- 
tion, as such must be regulated by the prevailing symptoms, 
which will, of course, be dependent on circumstances, and be 
subject to variation in almost every instance. I shall, there- 
fore, only further direct your notice to a few leading principles, 
the application of which will rest with the judgment of the 
owner or party in attendance. Should the symptoms evinced 
induce to the belief that the foetus lives, the condition of the 
animal permitting, bleed and administer aperients, follow up 
with sedatives, such as opium and belladonna, have the cow 
secluded, and allow her to remain as quiet as possible. On 
the contrary, if we have reason to think that the calf is dead, 
our endeavours should then be directed to the encouragement 
of the parturient pains. In these cases stimulants are occa- 
sionally admissible, the ergot of rye with many being a very 
favourite medicine. It too often happens that, after delivery is 
effected, considerable difficulty is experienced in the removal 
of the placental membranes, the retention of which very fre- 
quently gives rise to a troublesome and offensive discharge, 
requiring the use of astringent injections, and considerable 
attention, ere the health of the animal be perfectly restored. 
