CATTLE. 147 



charging a bloody pus. Even in mild cases the secretion of milk is considerably lessened, 

 and in severe cases is often stopped altogether. In such cases also, the hip-joint, hock, or 

 fetlock of the animal is frequently so swollen and sore as to entirely prevent her rising and 

 standing. 



This disease is most liable to occur in young cows just before calving, especially where 

 they are large milkers and are kept in high condition. As the young cow approaches the 

 period of parturition the udder undergoes a rapid and wonderful transformation to prepare 

 it for supplying nourishment for the progeny soon to make its appearance in the world. 

 The glands, which before have been small and undeveloped, increase to many times their 

 former size, their blood vessels are enlarged, and the flow of blood through them greatly 

 increased, while the wonderful power of milk secretion is perfected and carried on. 



When there is danger of inflammation, by the udder being large and full before calving, 

 it is well to draw a little milk each day a few days before parturition, in order to relieve the 

 distended udder. This will sometimes be a necessity with heavy milkers in order to avoid 

 difficulty in this respect, but it should never be practiced except when the conditions are such 

 as require it. The udder should therefore be examined each day at this period, and if found 

 to be hot, hard, and engorged with milk, a portion of the contents should be immediately 

 drawn to encourage further secretion. This process will sometimes hasten the advent of the 

 calf a day or two, but that is a minor evil compared with the result of running the risk of 

 the animal having the garget. 



Neglect for a few days after calving or when a cow is drying off, or the milking is 

 abruptly stopped for other reasons, will also have a tendency to produce garget. Overstock 

 ing a heifer, in order to make her have a fine show of milk, is a barbarous as well as very 

 risky practice, scarcely ever failing to bring on serious results, and is one of the most prolific 

 causes of garget. &quot;We have known dealers in dairy stock to permit cows to be left from six 

 teen to twenty-four hours without milking, in order to give them the appearance of being 

 excessively heavy milkers. 



The writer knows of a very noted cow, valued at several hundred dollars, that recently 

 died from the effects of such treatment. In such cases the udder becomes not only engorged 

 with milk, but is congested with blood, a state which renders it at once fitted for the seat of 

 disease. Failing to milk a cow clean will also bring on the garget. Besides those already 

 mentioned, there are other causes of garget, among which are mechanical injuries, such as 

 blows, kicks, wounds by the horns of other cattle, or bruises by the head or teeth of the calf; 

 bites of insects, the practice of milking with wet hands and leaving the teats to dry, violent 

 pulling or dragging upon the teats when milking, etc. ; also wounds in the interior of the 

 teat, resulting from the unskillful use of teat tubes and milking machines. Among other 

 local causes of garget might be mentioned taking cold by wading in cold water, lying on the 

 wet ground, on snow, or cold stones, exposure to cold rains, etc. 



Finally, whatever induces derangement of the health of the animal system, with fever, 

 tends to garget. For a few days before and after calving, cows, especially heavy milkers, 

 should be kept on light food, and such as is not rich in nitrogenous elements or fats. A 

 lukewarm bran mash or gruel that may be drunk by the cow in two pails in quantity per 

 day, for three or four days after calving, is a safe as well as refreshing food. The bowels 

 must be kept open by suitable food, or by mild laxatives, such as a daily dose of from four 

 to six ounces of Epsom salts. In cases where the udder is gorged or overstocked, as where 

 the cow has been lost for a day or more, the milk should be immediately drawn, if practica 

 ble, gently rubbing the udder with the dry hand for a few moments at a time, and stopping 

 at intervals to draw the milk. Sweet oil well rubbed in helps to soften the gland tissue in 

 such cases. In serious cases, camphorated spirits of wine is an excellent remedy for bathing 

 the udder. Where the disease is very obstinate, tincture of iodine will be found beneficial 



