Databases save time and improve the quality of the design, management and processing of ecopathological surveys.

The example of an ecopathological survey on nursing ewe mastitis shows that data bases have 4 complementary functions: assistance during the conception of surveys; follow-up of surveys; management and quality control of data; and data organization for statistical analysis. This is made possible by the simultaneous conception of both the data base and the survey, and by the integration of computer science into the work of the task group that conducts the survey. This methodology helps save time and improve the quality of data in ecopathological surveys.