The Typing of Escherichia coli by Bacteriophage: Its Application in the Study of the E. coli Population of the Intestinal Tract of Healthy Calves and of Calves Suffering from White Scours

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Abstract
A bacteriophage method of classifying strains of Escherichia coli inhabiting the alimentary tract of cattle has been evolved, by which it was possible to divide the strains into a large number of phage types. The origin and behavior of the E. coli population in the alimentary tract of healthy cows and calves, and of calves suffering from white scours were studied. Several types of E. coli were often found in the same fecal specimen in cases of scouring, as well as in healthy calves. Some types usually remained dominant for a week or so and were then gradually succeeded in dominance by other types. Exceedingly large numbers of E. coli were found in the feces of healthy and scouring calves during the first 14 days of life, a period when white scours occurs; very much smaller numbers were found in older animals. The etiology of calf scours is discussed.