The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1915-03-04
them on each side to the adjacent

folds.
The uterine seal projects into the
uterine cavity as rounded elevation
and posteriorly in similar manner
into the vagina, where it may be rec
ognized by digital palpation as an
elastic, adhesive mass adhering to
the fingers as they are withdrawn,
and constitutes a valid proof of preg-
nancy.
The seal is usually completed in the
heifer when the embryo is IA of an
inch long, and in the cow when the
embryo has reached a length of 1-2
to 1 inch.
Williams says: "Originally Bang
held that the genital canal was the
sole avenue of invasion, in which case
and phenomena resulting from the in
vasion should normally begin at the
internal os and radiate forward; this
is what does occur with great uni
formity, no recorded case presents
evidence to the contrary"
It has been noted that the uterine
cavity becomes Theoretically sealed
when the embryo is 1-2 to inch long.
At no time when the uterine cavity
was healthy was Williams able to
note any sign of injury, mechanical or
bacterial, to it's outer or vaginal end,
now its central portion, regardless of
the presence of muco-pus in the vag-
ina or of we'll marked chronic vagin-
tits or other LESSONS.
When the abortion exudate was
present, the uterine end of the seal
was stained, softened and undergoing
solution.
1t is believed that as rule the in
lection is present in the genital tract,
in cows and virgin heifers prior to
breeding.
1t would therefore appear that, even
if contagious vaginitis was present in
the herd, but had been reduced to the
minimum by repeated disinfection,
and the cow bred to clean bull, abor-
ton is not probable.
McFadyean and Stockman champion
the belief that the chief avenue of in
lection is the alimentary canal and
that the bacillus may invade the utter
us at any time of pregnancy or before
conception, and further that the in
lection is present in nearly every
herd, if these are the facts then the
prospects for the control of abortion
are not very encouraging at this
time.
If on the other hand, Bangs con-
tention that the cervical canal is the
usual avenue of infection, or the more
advanced opinion of Williams that it
is the sole natural avenue of infec-
ton and that the invasion must al
ways occur prior to the sealing of the
uterus, the prospects of control are
much brighter, although it is still a
task requiring perseverance.
If Williams views are correct, the
presence of an aborting cow among
COWS can have no danger,
because if the uterus of the pregnant
animal is clean and the uterine seal
normal, the infective material elimi-
mated by the aborting animal cannot
reach the uterine cavity of the healthy
COW.
But the dictates of the production of
clean milk requires the immediate re-
moval of aborted fetuses and the
aborters with retained placenta or
vaginal discharges be excluded from
the dairy until healed and also that
the cutters and stalls be thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected.
Some dairymen have endeavored to
keep their herds clean by the sale of
aborters, but this is a hopeless and
endless process.
Females which have aborted one or
more times should be disposed of only
if they fail to conceive after subse-
quent covering, provided they have re-
ceived suitable treatment.
BY keeping pregnant animals the
disease will be brought to a standstill
quicker than if new susceptible mater
ial is continually added in their place
(Bang).
Much has been claimed for vaginal
disinfection of pregnant animals, but
conclusive evidence does not support
the theory.
If the conclusion that the infection
enters the uterine cavity prior to or
just after conception, is correct, then
the douching of the vagina for some
time before and Immediately after
breeding, with mild antiseptic solu-
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