167 



treinely easy and extremely difflciilty milkers are 

 equally liable. Hard milkers because these are 

 more liable to be imperfectly milked; easy milkers 

 because a drop of milk is often carried suspended to the 

 p(Mnt of the teat, which, becoming infected, infects the 

 milk within the udder. Milk is an ideal medium for the 

 growth of bacteria. Injuries to the udder, like kicks, 

 blows, etc., and even the calf punching the bag while 

 sucking, are claimed to cause the disease. 



i^ijniptonis. 



The bag is swollen, feverish, painful, and red with 

 congested blood. Milk flow is reduced, and the milk is 

 changed in appearance and character. The milk is 

 lumpy or watery and may be tinged with blood. As 

 the disease progresses it assumes the appearance of 

 whey, containing shreds or floccules of solid matter. In 

 some cases there is little flow or none from the teat, the 

 bag becomes hard and unyielding, if a hind quarter the 

 inflammation extends far up toward the vulva. 



Pus or matter may form and decay progress till the 

 affected quarter literally rots out or if inflammation is 

 limited the pus may be discharged, the bag softens and 

 recoveiy follows, though the power of the gland to se- 

 crete milk may be permanently diminished. Often the 

 diseased products are not cast off through the teat, but 

 an abscess forms between the teats or to one side of the 

 bag, antl opens. Pus in varying quantities discharge 

 and stringy, ragged particles of decayed tissue may be 

 diawn out. Such cases are prone to recover after appar- 

 entlv successful treatment. 



Treatment. 



Prevention : Milk cows with new-born calves, espec- 

 ially heavy milkers, not less than four times a day for 



