PROBLEM OF ABORTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21180, 29 October 1938, Page 15

PROBLEM OF ABORTION

RESULT OF INGESTION There is a tendency on the part of some farmers when abortion is experienced in the herd to dismiss it as accidental, but it would be much better from their own point of view if they made up their minds that there was contagious abortion in the herd and take steps to combat it. Accidental abortion, of course, is not a rare thing, but the farmer should take the safe course. Abortion of a contagious nature is generally the result of ingestion, the germ being taken in while cows are feeding. If a cow aborts it infects the paddock and steps should be immediately taken to isolate the animal affected until the wound has healed sufficiently and the discharge has stopped. Effective control of contagious abortion is a most difficult matter. Isolation before abortion, if possible, and certainly afterwards, is necessary, while, if practicable, the herd sire should be kept from the cows. At present there is a blood test to determine the presence of Bank’s bacillus or the germ of contagious abortion. This is proving satisfactory and is being availed of to an increasing degree both by Government field officers and farmers. The tests are carefully carried out at Wallaceville laboratory and the farmer should remember that this service is always at his disposal. Effective control necessitates the separation of the herd into two sections—one infected and the other clean.