Brucellosis has been recognized as a highly contagious disease of man and animals since Bruce discovered the cause of Malta fever (Br. melitensis) in 1887. Br. abortus was found to cause abortion in cattle twenty years later by Bang. Another species, Br. suis, was isolated from aborted swine fetuses by Traum in 1914. Brucellosis is now known to have a worldwide distribution, occurring in a variety of domestic species, sucha s sheep, goats, horses and dogs, as well as several wild animals.