SOCIETY MEETINGS 
605 
Dr. J. F. Reid, of Decatur, then read a paper on “Infectious Abortion of 
Mares,”* which brought out the following discussion: 
Dr. Williams has seen much of this. In some districts it has caused as high 
as 80 per cent, of loss. 
Dr. Hinebauch : Does the abortion of cows affect the mares, and vice versa f 
Dr. Ullrich: Last season we lost the offspring from all but two of forty 
pregnant mares, and got thirty-five calves from thirty-six cows. 
Dr. Hinebauch experimented with the fluid from aborted cows, and found 
thirteen different germs. The experiments were for the State, but the funds 
running short they have not been completed. 
Dr. A. H. Baker divided abortions into three classes. First, from mechani¬ 
cal causes ; second, habitual abortion ; third, infectious. The latter is septic in 
its nature ; he believed it might be specific, but that any septic o r putrifactive 
germ may cause infectious abortion. The uterus is in close nervous connection 
with the rest of the body. A shock to the nerves may produce abortion by in¬ 
terrupting the uterine circulation. Any severe disease may cause abortion. 
Dr. Reid: “We are considering infectious abortion. I draw the line be¬ 
tween the above cases which are accidental and sporadic, and true infectious 
abortion. I believe each case of such to follow a septic degeneration of the 
foetal membranes, due to a specific germ which enters through its genital pas¬ 
sages.” 
Dr. Baker believed it might enter through the lungs or the alimentary canal, 
and a general infection follow with abortion, and putrifaction of membranes as a 
sequel. 
Dr. Reid disagreed again. Such a general infection would be attended with 
grave constitutional symptoms, while it is a clinical fact that no signs of disease 
are evident up to the beginning of the act of abortion, yet such cases are not in¬ 
frequently followed by metritis, or even gangrene of the uterus in these cases. 
Dr. Baker thought an accidental or sporadic abortion might occur and be 
followed by an epizootic of abortion from the putrifaction of the membranes. 
Dr. Williams: “ In your cases there is a systemic disturbance antedating 
the abortion. In these cases there is a local disturbance in the foetus, causing its 
death, and then abortion takes place followed by systemic septic disturbances in 
the mare and possibly death of the same ” 
Dr. .Hinebauch : “I am more then ever convinced that the contagious abor¬ 
tions of mares and cows are distinct aud separate diseases.” 
The discussion was here closed and an adjournment made until Thursday. 
Thursday Session. 
At 11 a.m. the meeting reconvened, President Baker in the chair. 
The order of business was suspended, and the name of Prof. D. McIntosh 
of the University of Illinois, proposed by Pres. Baker. 
On motion of Dr. Williams, the by-laws were suspended, and the ballot cast 
by the Secretar}' for Prof. McIntosh. 
The report of the Corresponding Secretary was called, but the Secretary be¬ 
ing absent no report was made. 
The Treasurer made his report, showing a balance of $82.05 in the treasury. 
* Published in this issue of the Rkyikw. 
