SEPTEMBER, 1948]
JOHN
B.
POLDING
191
then from the earlier investigations is that Brucellosis is present in the herd, although its very irre-
gular manifestations in the form of agglutination responses leave much doubt as to whether it was
the sole cause of the abortions.
The history after 1935 is very similar. As a result of the bad abortion years of 1934, 1935 and
1937 special pains were taken from 1937 onwards in the testing and disposal of reacting goats.* The
abortions diminished until in 1939 there were none ; whereupon the testing regulations were relaxed.
In February 1940, the whole herd was tested and found practically disease-free, but during the 10
succeeding months 11 (4.4 per cent) goats aborted, while in 1942 and 1943 the abortion rate had again
become serious. In May 1943, the whole herd was tested, 10 per cent being positive ; while in July
of the same year reactors had increased to 22 per cent. Of 15 animals aborting up to this time, rather
less than 50 per cent were positive, as also were 6 per cent of the young stock.
The 1943 outbreak was carefully investigated by one of the writer's staff. Unfortunately, as
with all previous investigators, he arrived after the abortions had ceased. However, cultures (tryp-
tose broth, MacConkey's and Robertson's media) and inoculations (guinea-pig) were made of the
cream and vaginal secretions of the recently aborted animals. Vaginal mucus was also examined for
protozoan infection. From none of these preparations could any pathogen of known significance,
including Brucella, be isolated. The most commonly occurring commensals were gram-positive cocci
while from two cultures non-pathogenic bipolar organisms were isolated. A Listerella-like organism
which has been described on page 184 was secured from one other culture.
The whole history of this endemic is unsatisfactory, mainly on account of the irregularities of
the agglutination test and failures of isolation. It is quite clear, however, that a proportion of goats
have been infected with Brucellosis and it may be supposed that many abortions have been due to
this infection. The supposition is supported by the fluctuations in the abortion rate following the
tightening and relaxation of the test-and-disposal orders. Plainly, Brucellosis should be perma-
nently eradicated from the herd, a process not without difficulty, as new goats are constantly being
purchased and existing goats must occasionally be exposed to infected cattle. If after permanent
eradication abortions continue, then plainly, there is room for a further investigation which should
begin, at least, by a following up of the investigation of the Listerella-like organism already described.
It is to be noted that rainfall, intercurrent extra-genital disease, diet deficiencies, and food-poisoning
cannot be implicated in this endemic.
The following table gives the various sections of the final report which correspond with different
items of the technical programme
Item of the technical programme
1
2
3
4
5
Section or sections of the final report
I, II and III
IV
V
VI
VII
Sections VIII and IX of the final report deal with relevant matters not clearly defined in the
technical programme.
SUMMARY
This report is a detailed record of a five year's scheme of investigation into abortion amongst the
cattle, sheep and goats of India. The text is divided into nine main sections, all, but the two last,
being devoted to the subject of Brucellosis.
* In 1930-31 on the orders of the Director of Veterinary Services of the Province reacting goats were disposed of, but
before 1937 it is very difficult to trace how long this order was rigorously enacted.