ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
35 
\Y. R. Hostetter moved to refer to a committee to report. Carried. 
The programme was then resumed in regular order. 
ABORTION AMONG COWS. 
BY W. R. TRUMBOWER, Y. 8., STERLING. 
There are undoubtedly many subjects in connection with your business as dairy- 
in which enlist your attention; but none, in my opinion, which more fully deserve 
;han that of protecting your herds against this accident or disease of abortion. 
We possess no statistics of the frequency and extent to which this disease prevails 
on 1 -- the cattle of this State, or of the Northwest, and in fact very little has been 
itten about it in this country. By abortion a very considerable percentage of the 
m o> are lost every year, and all cows which have once aborted may become unprofit- 
e as breeders for several successive yeais, hence lose a part of their original value, 
ich, in some instances, may represent quite a large sum of money to the owner of 
^owAetus see what we have been able to learn of this disease, and, if we cannot 
3 some protective measure to lessen its ravages. 
It is a well known fact that a large number of external circumstances, such as 
dino- with improper food and the like, can produce abortion. This form of abor- 
n although often acquiring great extension, is what we call sporadic, or accidental 
irtion in opposition to the infectious abortion, which is produced by infectious 
dter. The latter form of abortion receives the more attention at? the present day, 
d is of very great importance to agriculture. We will consider some of the causes 
sporadic abortion, in order to get a better understanding of the nature of the infec- 
U It!s known that all stimulants producing a contraction of the womb, can finally 
,d to abortion. , . „ 
A very important fact is, that the womb, even m the various stages of pregnancy, 
ssesses a different degree of irritability, and that an unimpregnated womb can only 
contracted through strong irritation, whilst the least irritation is sufficient to pro- 
ce this effect upon a pregnant womb. . 
It is known that the irritability of the womb proportionally increases as preg- 
ncy advances, and that those irritations which are always found to be present 
ally lead to contractions and natural birth. . 
We know r , also, that the irritability of the womb increases with the temperature 
th*» body and decreases with decrease of the temperature, within physical limits. 
It is also known that the contractability of the womb can be excited through car- 
nized blood. From this it may be understood that under all circumstances where 
3 temperature of the body is being continually increased, and where highly carbon- 
id blood is being formed at the same time, abortion is liable to occur. By quick 
ivements. over-driving animals in pregnancy, and in morbid conditions where the 
cretion of carbonic acid is rendered more difficult, and where a higher temperature 
existing, the case is the same; for example, by tuberculosis, pleuro-pneumonia, 
lenic or Texas fever, epizootic, catarrh, etc. . 
The frequent abortions following these conditions are easily explained. 
Colic and bloating are also often followed by abortion. Its origin is not so much 
pendent upon the large expansion of the intestine or rumen, as in the retention of 
1 Atmospheric influences, sudden changes in the weather, have been mentioned as 
using abortion. There can be no doubt that cold, especially when suddenly applied 
the skin may produce this result, and hence it is that the abrubt setting in of cold 
>ather is often marked by abortion among animals exposed to it. 
Frozen food or water, when taken in immoderate quantity, and especially when 
e digestive organs are nearly empty, as well as forage or herbage covered with snow 
frost, are also injurious in this respect to pregnant animals, and abortion often 
Hows immediately. , ^ ... 
Abortion is frequently caused by the partaking of blighted food. Some parasitic 
ngi, which are found upon cereals, are said to cause it. ■ 
Purgatives, especially those of a drastic kind, are a fertile cause. Opium, digitalis 
id some other drugs, have to be administered with caution. 
Certain colors, the smell of blood, decomposing flesh of animals, excitement, feai, 
under and anger are also causes. , „ , . _ 
Abortion has not unfrequently been ascribed to some defect or other influence m 
e male, usually supposed to be found in the debility arising from too frequent 
Various injuries to the foetus, or diseases of the foetus or its envelopes, may also 
ad to abortion. 
