d as hot wheat bran mashes
or steamed rolled oats, vegetables and green grass if possible.

CONTAGIOUS ABORTION

(Infectious Abortion)

CAUSE: Due to a germ (Bacillus Abortus) coming in direct contact with
the genital organs of a bull or cow and can be indefinitely transmitted
from one herd to another by infected bulls serving healthy cows, or
infected cows when served transmit the infection to healthy bulls.
Healthy cows become infected by their genital organs coming in contact
with litter on floors when lying down or rubbing against fences, walls
or posts previously soiled by aborting cows. Cattle licking one another
is also a prolific cause.

SYMPTOMS: The signs of calving are not so well marked as in normal
calving, especially where the aborting animal is a heifer and the
gestation period has not exceeded three or four weeks. In cows,
especially where the gestation period has advanced to five or seven
months, the symptoms are easily detected as a rule by a swelling of the
udder, or what is commonly termed "making bag," the outer portions of
the womb swollen and inflamed as in normal calving. As the period of
abortion approaches, there will be a discharge of mucus and blood from
the womb. Labor pains are not as severe as in normal calving, owing to
the absence of hair on the foetus and being smaller; although the
afterbirth (foetal membranes), may be retained the same as in normal
calving.

PREVENTIVE TREATMENT: This perhaps is the cheapest and best method of
treating Contagious Abortion. When purchasing bulls or cows, ascertain
whether the farm you purchased from has Contagious Abortion. An
investigation of this kind often saves labor, time and money.

MEDICAL TREATMENT: When once Contagious Abortion makes its appearance,
separate infected from non-infected animals, remove all litter, manure,
etc., from barns, corrals, and burn or bury deeply. The conveyances used
should be tight so as to prevent scattering. Scrub and disinfect floors,
fences, walls of barns and rubbing posts with a solution made from three
pounds of Copper Sulphate to ten gallons of water, permitting it to
thoroughly dissolve before using. Use an ordinary barrel and cover so as
to prevent any cattle drinking same, as it is very poisonous. When a
cow aborts, remove the calf and afterbirth in a tight receptacle that
will prevent any portion from being scattered, and burn or bury deeply;
disinfect the floor and walls of stall where the ab