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Two outbreaks of Salmonella newport infection in dairy herds are described which were characterised by haemorrhagic enteritis. The history of the outbreaks, the extent of the losses, clinical and laboratory findings and treatment are described. The first herd consisted of 193 cattle, of which seven died, three aborted and another 84 required treatment. Salmonellosis persisted over 14 months throughout the summer on a paddock grazing system and continued during the following winter when the herd was loose housed. The relationship of the commencement of clinical disease to dietary changes and to the time of calving is described, as are the problems in controlling the disease. The second herd consisted of 98 milking cows and a few beef animals. One cow died and two aborted; altogether 18 were clinically affected. The epidemiology of the disease and the geographical relationship between the two farms is described. Extensive contamination of streams occurred and one cow died on a neighbouring third farm. In contact humans were found to be excreting the organism. The public health significance of the outbreak is discussed because bulk milk samples were contaminated with salmonellae for 10 months and local streams were polluted with human sewage.

SUMMARYBotulism in UK cattle has been confirmed by demonstrating type C botulinum toxin in sera from affected animals. Evidence is presented indicating the source of intoxication to be poultry carcasses containing type C Clostridium botulinum and its toxin. The organism was also found in poultry litter and in alimentary tract samples from slaughtered animals. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Summary. Thirty-nine gilts were slaughtered 9 and 13 days post coitum (p.c.) to determine if the period of elongation and first attachment of the blastocyst to the uterus was critical in embryonic survival. The bacterial flora of the uteri of thirty-eight pigs were cultured to determine the relationship between bacterial infection and embryonic mortality at these times.

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