THE PREVENTION OF ABORTION IN CATTLE. 543 
Such, gentlemen, is a short sketch of the case in question ; 
curious, as shewing a predisposition in the blood to form bony 
matter, happily rare. Although not generally interfering with the 
usefulness of the animal in this case, it certainly did exhibit in 
an eminent degree the power vested in the animal frame by an 
over-ruling Providence to secure the regeneration and repro¬ 
duction of bony parts. 
THE PREVENTION OF ABORTION IN CATTLE. 
Sir, —I find that a very curious, and to you, I dare say, a novel 
operation, is performed here by an old man upon the cows which 
have been isenedyio prevent them again coming in season,or casting 
calf in winter. The practitioner knows nothing upon the sub¬ 
ject, but he had learned it from his grandfather. As he is 
successful, and I was present when he operated upon several of my 
cows, I shall describe what I saw and was told, in order that 
you may give me an anatomical account of the matter, and the 
reasons why the expected results have been obtained. 
A few days after taking the bull, the cow was held by the horns 
and tail, and he thrust his forefinger as far as he could reach up 
her box, when, he says, a small vein, larger in heifers than cows, 
may be felt; and this, by pressure and twisting the finger about 
rather forcibly, be broke within, a few drops of blood generally 
issuing after the operation. He can give no distinct account of 
what de does, or where the vein or muscle lies ; but I generally 
saw him search with his finger low down, and twist it upwards to 
break it, and when it slipped away from him he again felt for 
it below. I wish you could discover the nature of the operation, 
and describe it correctly ; for I can safely say, that in a breeding- 
fold of fifty Highland cows which lie out at all seasons, and among 
which as many as twenty (seldom less than three or four) cast 
calf annually, I have not had above one or two miscarriages 
any year since this operation has been performed. It is there¬ 
fore a subject of the utmost importance to the breeder; and I 
shall feel obliged by receiving from you a scientific explanation 
of the matter. 
Your’s faithfully. 
18th June, 1835. 
The preceding letter was addressed to Mr. Dick from the north 
of Scotland, by one who takes a lively interest in the welfare 
of the country in which he resides ; and who, as it will be seen, 
while he does not hesitate to adopt what appears to be useful, is. 
