34 MILK IN THE UDDER 



cells of animal matter. Some of these particles 

 have broken off and are in the center of the 

 milk channels, from which they will be discharged 

 with the milk. 



BACTERIA IN THE UDDER 



When a cow lies down, dirt may be pushed 

 into the ends of the teat, carrying with it bac- 

 teria. A scratch on the surface of the udder 

 from a barbed-wire fence, or a wound from a 

 bruise may become infected. Through such en- 

 trances, bacteria find their way into the interior 

 of the udder and start an inflammation. It is 

 nearly as common for a cow's udder to become 

 inflamed as for a human being to have a cold 

 in the head. The bacteria irritate the interior 

 of the udder by the poisons which they produce. 

 To offset this, the blood discharges enormous 

 numbers of white blood cells supplied by nature 

 to entangle the bacteria and carry them off. 

 This white material is commonly called pus, 

 and is often seen by the milker as thick or lumpy 

 matter discharged with the milk. The bacteria 

 commonly causing such udder inflammations may 

 cause tonsilitis or septic sore throat in milk con- 



