Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-12-09
Abortion in Cows.

In searching for the cause of this disas-
trous malady In COVE, We should bear in
mind that it is perfectly we'll settled that it
is not to be found in any one source Of mis-
management to the exclusion of all others.
Many perfectly well observed cases are re-
corded. and might De cited Were it necessary,
where it could be traced clearly and unmis-
takably to the use Of ssagnant and filthy
water IN ponds TO which the COWS resorted
to drink. One is almost tempted to say that
if a farmer treated his cows SO as to compel
them 10 resort to such places, he was served
rightly with the loss of the calf.
Again it is perfectly well known that over
feeding ia liable to produce abortion. A
cow in to high condition is subject to con-
tinual excitement and consequent inf1amma-
ton OF the uterus. ard abortion is apt to
follow. Too luxuriant food a few weeks be-
fore the period of parturition arrives, crowds
the foetus TO such an extent as often to cause
abortion, while feeding on bad hay, that is,
badly cured hay. will now and then lead to
the same result. y large part of the dairy
herd has been knogn 70 abort in repeated
instances where the cause could be distinctly
traced TO this source.
Another cause is the late fall grazing Of
cows on grass that has been frost-bitten,
or that may at the time, be covered with a
coating of frost. 1t is perfectly we'll known
IN Switzerland that it is dangerous to allow
the cows to feed on fields covered with boar
frost, and numerous cases always follow when
this is practised. Whatever, in fact, has a
tendency to create any general excitement in
the animal system, during the pregnancy of
the cow, produces Inflammation Of the womb.
Sometimes feeding on the coarse, rank
heritage Of low, marshy places and woody
grounds, will produce abortion. and SO
drinking of water im~pregnated with iron will
lead TO the same result in many cases. Re-
peated instances have occurred where the
cause could be traced to this source.
Hard, unsucculent food, which causes the
COWS to drink large quantities of water will
sometimes cause abortion. If a cow were
fed largely on straw, for instance, she would
be compelled TO take q large quantity of
water into her system and render her liable
to abort.
Again, the great weight, or sons other
unsuitable property of the bull. will now and
then produce abortion. The use of a male
of too great size and weight, is extremely
iDjudicious for this and for other reasons,
and it has been long since discarded in the
practice Of the most skillful breeders. Many
instances might BE- named where abortion
could be distinctly traced to this cause, anG
in some cases whole herds of dairy COW.
have been known to ABORT in consequence oil
it.
A cow that is troubled with catarrh, Of
that has a tendency to consumption. will sell
dom become pregnant and if she does, viii
be very likely to cast her cali. If q COW il
placed in fresh feed and ea.s rapidly, anG
gets the "hooye.r OF if she Is liable, whcr
on good feed, to a f~iatulent distension of the
stomach, she viii often cast rssaif. Th'
distension of the rumen presses 50 heayil,
on the fctus as to injure and often destfo,
it. Even an uncomfortable distension, j
suddenly produced by change from poor. t.
luxuriant food, viii often lead to this result