Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-16
Animal Abortion.

writes the Southwestern St0cknaap, at
Wilcox, on the subject of abortion, as
follows.
No domestic animal, perhaps, re-
cuires so much or such constant and
Immediate care during pregnancy as
the COW; for none are so liable to in
complete, premature, unproductive,
dangerous or fatal deliveries. 1t might
almost be said that irregularities in
CESSATION are the more probable con-
tingencies. Abortion, or, as it is
technically termed, sinking" abrupt
ly terminates the pregnancy of cows
under an endless variety of circam-
stances. 1t may be termed a species
of epidemic, the disease spreading
unaccountably among cattle, and con-
tinuing to affect them for years. In
the majority of cases however, it is
rather of accidental or local origin
than of epidemic nature. Not even
when introduced among particular
herds by the admission of a strange
cow, previously subject to abortion,
can it be properly termed epidemic,
for even then the original cause may
be traced to particularly, not
generality.
1t may very properly be termed an
epidemic disease, affecting all cattle in
particular localities, and arising in
such cases from the stimulating, acrid,
or other mischievous nature of food, or
from the popularity of water habit
ually drank by cattle; such for instance,
as the presence of chalybeate infusions
from the peculiar nature of the atmos-
phere, etc. 1t may decidedly be looked
upon as systematic, being induced
even by the presence of a cow addicted
TO abortion by the odors emanating
from the discharge accompanying or
following it, and from many similar
causes.
Wherefore, every precaution should
be taken to neutralize odors, to cleanse
the spot, whether within or out of the
stable or shed, to remove all other calves
to distance, and to sink the aborted
cattle deep into the ground and in some
spot entirely unfrequented by other
cows There IS no question but that
abortion is hereditary in some instances
In which a COW, prone to sinking, has
succeeded in raising her calf. There
fore we would strongly discourage the
breeder from ever rearing such calves
Gf female) for milch COWS, and recon-
mend him either to dispatch them for
slaughter as calves or to raise them for
fattening only.
Again, abortion may be considered
hereditary IN another respect, as de-
pendent upon hereditary defects of
constitution. Wherefore, a cow of
general unhealthy habit, and especially
if unkindly and Indicative of the pres
ence of consumption, should never be
used for breeding.
Abortion may justly be held to be of
periodical, or, rather, atmOspherical
occurrence, for it has been very we'll as
certained that it becomes peculiarly
prevalent during certain seasons under
peculiar conditions of weather, etc.
Abortion is often, and perhaps most
frequently, denominated as accidental,
and may be occasioned by any circum-
stances which tend to interfere with or
TO interrupt the regular operations of
any function; for it must not be for
gotten that the cow is of a peculiarly
historical temperament; that is to say,
that everything that affects the beast
in even a slight degree is likely,
especially during pregnancy, to re-
act upon the womb, and may some
times affect a future pregnancy, when
the COW is not actually in calf at the
time.
Among the general incidental causes
of abortion we may mention fright
(from any cause); excess of food of
stimulating character; plethoric con-
dition caused by food or confinement;
want of fresh air and free scope; foul,
close, unhealthy cow-hOuses; defciento or
unwholesome food; acute disease in
general, especially those of an infiam-
matory nature; as also mechanical in
@juries and intercourse with the male
during pregnancy, etc.
PremonitOry signs of abortion, pre-
caution against it and general treat
ment to follow it: Cows which have
once slinked calf should be constant
ly watched, especially about the
twentieth week of pregnancy, aud
from that time to a period yerging
from seven to four weeks before the
estimated period of parturition. BY
observing this precaution, proper
remedies, the approach of abortion
will be distinguishable by the gait and
movement of the animal, which will
have tendency to retain the same
position, whether recumbent or erect.
The movements of the calf in the womb
will be less observable, and whereas,
under propitious circumstances. these
movements are palpable externally
to the eye, it will be necessary, on the
near approach of Sinking, to place the
palm of the hand upon the right flank
toward the hind quarters in order to
distinguish them. The cow will feed
but irregularly, evidently without
relish, insufficiently, and without rumi-
mating; the belly will drop, lose its
sideway fullness and roundness, and
become lank. This last will especially
be the case when the calf is dead,
under which circumstances all motion
will have ceased; the pulse will become
uncertain aud wavering, the milk will
fail; and, as the premature labor be-
comes imminent and almost always
unavoidable (and invariably so when
there are symptoms ofdecOmpOsition,)
sounds indicative of pain will be
homeopathic possesses a peculiar adj
vantage in having direct specifies to
employ against the disease whereby
even in cases in which he might mis-
take the precursory for more imminent
symptoms. his treatment will have
been as opposite to prevent as it would
later be to facilitate the decomposition
of the calf In the earliest incipent
symptoms of predisposition to stink
ing, alone. would his medicinal re-
sources differ. The after treatment of
cows which have slinked their calves
should consist in the most expeditions