The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-05-26
CONTAGIOUS ABORTION
AMONG LIVESTOCK

J female by the male, or the microor.
J ganism may be taken into the system
by feeding over a pasture or range
l where aborted colts or calves, or after
births from aborted colts or calves,
: have lain 1t may also be transmitted
from one animal to the other by at
tendants working around the animals
or by the common use of curry combs
or anything else used on diseased ami
mails being used on other animals.
1t is our understanding that contag-
ious abortion of cattle is not transmit
ted to horses or sheep, and that con-
tagious abortion of horses is not trans
mitted to cattle. We have found that
blood taken from sheep which have
aborted will sometimes react to the
complement fixation test as made for
contagious abortion in horses. For
that reason, cannot positively state
that contagious abortion of horses
may not be transmitted to sheep but
l am of the opinion that, if it is trans
mitted, it is transmitted very, very
rarely, but to be on the safe side it is
advisable not to Craze sheep over pas
lures or premises where the after
births and skunk colts and calves from
animals suffering from contagious
abortion have lain. We find that ami
mails which have never been bred may
carry the contamination or causative |
agent of this disease. The causative |
agent, or micro-organism that causes |
contagious abortion, in cattle is known |
as the "bacillus abortus of bang" and |
according to the latest Investigations /
the causative agent of contagious
abortion in horses is presumed to be
the bacillus paratyphosus." This di-
sease will require great deal more
scientific study before we are thor
oughly conversant with its etiology
and methods for absolute prevention
and cure, but as the disease has been
very prevalent during the past year it
is receiving the best of scientific in
vestigation and we trust positive So
luton will be found for its eradication
and prevention.
At the present time we have no spe-
cific cure for the disease. Strict SAM
tation is indicated. Burn or bury all
and dead colts or calves.
Do not permit attendants to work
around diseased animals and then
around healthy animals, or do not use
any stable implement on diseased
animal and then on healthy animal. /
Destroy all bedding that has been J
used for diseased animals, and thor
oughly disinfect stables and sheds.
We have used sub-cutaneous injec- !
ions or carbolic acid with very good T
success. In cattle we use ~ C. C. of
/ four per cent solution injected SUBJ
once a week during ges-
g ton. This apparently is little
strong for horses so we use two per q
ent solution, injecting IL C. C. of
wo per cent solution twice week. 2
This of course is impractical on range p
took and we are now experimenting II
With very good results with carbolic $,
cid and salt mixed to the following n
Take one pound Il pint of pure car a,
Ollie acid. Dilute this with one pint
f water; then add enough bran to
make a dry mixture. Add this dry
fixture of one hundred pounds OF salt
nd place it in some convenient place, G.
4 troughs, where the animals may
AXE of it at their pleasure.
One pound of carbolic acid to one I,
undred pounds of salt is little M
trong for continuous feeding so when
yntagious abortion has disappeared
ouId recommend that you cut this OF
own to one-fourth or one-half pound 81
7 carbolic acid to the hundred pounds OF
salt. sE
Cattle seldom abort more than twice. M
hey become immune to the disease, til
nd while they may carry their calf es
maturity and give birth to health. Gle
III, they may still be carriers OF the ..
sease and transmit it to young heif- or
8 or other cattle which have not be-
sable, if possible, to separate cattle w
hich have abOrted from those which Ii
I'VE not aborted. On account of the m
eat prevalence or this disease
rough throughout the United States o.
consider it advisable to retain ami
ais which are immune even though
ey may be active carriers of the dis
Sc for the reason that young cattle We
3 very liable to become affected and hi
ort, and only small percentage Of ,ve
J immune cattle are active carriers
spreaders of the disease.-W. J.
tier. State Veterinary Surgeon. %
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