The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1911-07-15

and some other grasses, sometimes
causes the trouble. Physical injuries,
such as falling on a slippery floor or
being butted by another COW, are com
mon causes. Poor feed, and the con
sequent weakness of the COW, may be
the cause. So it is seen that with so
many possible causes the farmer is at
a loss to know when his COWS have
contagious abortion, and when the
trouble is merely accidental. By close
observation it is possible to tell the
difference, and knowing the presence
Of the contagious form, means can be
taken to prevent it, or to keep 1t from
spreading.
Ordinary accidental abortion occurs
any time during the period of preg-
nancy. 1t goes by no rules. Conta-
gious abortion is not certain to act in
any definite way, but it is more likely
to occur in the seventh month of preg-
nancy. The calf, when dropped, Is
usually dead, and If it is not, it is usu,
ally so weak that it will not live.
For a long time it was not known
definitely that this was a contagious
disease. but many experiments in Ger
many and France and many observa-
tlons all owe the world have proved
that it is really a disease caused by
germs. Just the nature OF these germs
is not yet well known, and some bac.
teriologists believe that there are sew
eral kinds Of them. However, they
may pass from one herd to another by
being carried on some object, or in
the purchase of an infected animal, or
through the use Of an infected sire,
and that is what makes the losses.
The germs Of contagious abortion
work on the %cotyledons or buttons"
which supply the circulation Of food
material for the unborn calf. Their
action is to close of this connection
or cause IT to ripen prematurely. When
this happens the foetus is released and
abortion occurs.
Looking at a COW which is about to
abort, the outward appearances are
the same as if she we're going full
time, and the oldest herdsman annot
tell whether the coming parturition
is normal or premature. except by the
record Of breeding.
1t happens that cows develop a sort
OF immunity to this disease after about
the third time, and thereafter give no
trouble 1t is believed by many that
the on.breeders are often simply ar
fected with a chronic form OF this dis
ease.
This disease is carried by any mate
rial or any object which comes in con.
tact with the infection. ANY straw.
litter, manure, or anything which has
been in contact with the diseased COW
will give Il to others. The bull may
spread II to the whole herd.
Usually contagious abortion has
spread pretty well through the herd
before it is discovered. There is no
way to recognize It until the calves
begin to ONE too early
Many cures have been suggested,
and all have been far from cures. An
injection Of 2 per cent carbolic acid
under the skin has been used a oreot
deal, and is claimed by some to have
given satisfaction other results, how
ever, show that it doesn't always work.
Some herdsmen have given up that
there is nothing to do but let It run
its course" and let all the cows be-
come immune. This is expensive, how
ever, and would break up some live
stock establishments.
1t has been possible in some cases
to eliminate this disease by disinfec-
ton and by taking out the diseased
cows as soon as they are discovered
Wholesale use Of a strong dip solution
and ~whitewash, crude = carbollc acid
and everything available which win
kill germs, should clear the trouble
out Of the herd 1t will take much
watching, a lot of disinfecting, and
abou. two years time. But usually 1t