ABORTION IN COWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2504, 19 March 1902, Page 9

ABORTION IN COWS.

By J. A. Gilbuth. M.R.C.V.S., Chief Veterinarian. (Leaflets for Farmers, No. 59.) During the present milking season a number «J outbreak* pi % e°«tajjiovu faai pi.

this disease have Tseen feporEe-3^ "espccitQly in the Wairara-pa district. From the evidence collected -by Mr Brandj-RR.C.V.S., Government Veterinarian, Masterton, it would appear that the disease has travelled from farm to farm, partly through the contiguity of the pastures and herds and oceasiotially through the indiscriminate use of the same bull by different owners. In consequence of the great loss that ensues to thp dairy-farmer if no precautionary measures are taken, this leaflet is issued for- general information. CAUSE. This is undoubtedly due to a definite microbe, which, gaining entrance to the system of a pregnant cow or heifer, sooner or later causes premature contraction of the womb, and consequent expulsion of the foetus, or immature calf, ----- The contagion may be jcontraeted by a pregnant cow through — (iy Coming in l contact with an animal that has already aborxecL; (2) coming in contact with the aborted foetus (it is well known that cows will congregate around such an object, snuff thSTground, lick the bcd 3», etc.) ; (3) eating grass or -fodder contaminated with the discharge from a cow recently aborted or oiher material containing tlie germs of -abortion ; (4) (and very important) the use of a bull that has already served or been in-;eontaet with a cow that has recently aborled. SYMPTOMS. As a rule none are exhibited to such an extent as to attract attention. Occasionally evidences of uneasiness and attempts to apparently calve may be observed, but very frequently the first intimation which the owner receives that a cow has aborted is that she comes back to the bull the sixth or seventh week after previous service. Usually a cow comes to the bull in thiee days after abortion takes place. THEATMEXT. (l.j Burn the aborted fetus immediately, search toeing -made for it if necessary so soon as the cow is known to have aborted. - (2.) Thoroughly dig up "the ground around the foetus, and disinfect with a liberal quantity of a non-poisonous cheep-dip. (3.) Isolate the cow, and keep her isolated for two months, using a temporary bail, if necessary, for milking purposes. (4-.) Thoroughly di?infect the cow by the following means : — First, into an ordinary whisky-bottle put two tablespoonfuls of a 1 per-cent. solution of mercuric chloride, and fill up with vainwater that has been boiled and allowed to cool to blood-heat. The mercuric chloride can be easily procured from any chemist or direct from this laboratory in tabloid form, with full instructions Second, procure about 3Ft of ordinary indiarubber piping of diameter, and in one end place an ordinary tin funnel, or, better, one made of glass if procurable. If neither is handy, break off the bottom end of a large bottle and insert the neck into the rubber tubing. Third, boil the tube and the funnel for five minutes. Fourth, place the free end of the piping by means of the hand gently into the womb, taking care uol to injure 'the lining of the womb. Fifth, hold the end to whic'.i the funnel is attached about 6in above ihe root of the cow's tail. Sixth, pour the contents of the bottle as described above gently into the funnel, and so thoroughly irrigate the womb. If the fluid does not run freely from the tube, the end of the womb need only be gently moved to and fro to secure a free flow. Seventh, thoroughly wash the parts from the root of the tail down to the bottom of the udder with another bottleful of the same solution as that used for irrigating tl-e womb. Eighth, allow the animal to stand quiet in the bail for two hours after treatment Note. — It is absolutely necessary to follow out the directions to the full, as if any bo missed beneficial results cannot be guaranteed. THE BULL. If it be known or suspected that the bull has covered a cow that has at any time aborted, he should be placed in a crush-pen and the penis and sheath thoroughly washed with the solution. If any cows have aborted, a special bull should be used solely for them. KEMUXDEU OF HEED As an extra precaution it i& desirable to \ery carefully wash the passage and partbelow the tail of each cow with the solution as described above. In order to strengthen the resistant powers and prevent undup loosener of the bowels it hao been found' advantageous to give a small quantity of hay or oaten sheave- at each niilking-time. BVILDIXGS. In aggravated outbreaks the whole of the milking-bhed should be thoroughly limcwashed, adding to each bucketful of waim lime-wash half a pint of crude carbolic acid, a liberal dressing of disinfectant to the flooralto being employed