DISEASES OF CATTLE 205 



yellow scab, which finally falls, leaving one or more distinct pits in 

 the skin. Upon the teats, however, this regular course is rarely seen ; 

 the vesicles are burst by the hands of the milker as soon as liquid is 

 formed, and as they continue to suffer at each milking they form 

 raw, angry sores, scabbing more or less at intervals, but slow to 

 undergo healing. 



The only treatment required is to heal the sores; and as milking 

 is the main cause of their persistence, that must be done as gently 

 as possible, or even with the teat tube or dilator. It is essential to 

 check the propagation of the germ, and for this purpose the sore 

 teats may be washed frequently with a solution of half an ounce 

 hyposulphite of soda in a pint of water. This will usually check the 

 inflammation and cut short the malady. 



SUPPRESSION OF MILK. 



The absence of milk in the udder may result from ill health, de- 

 bility, emaciation, chronic diseases of the bag, wasting of the gland 

 from previous disease, or insufficient food, but sometimes it will oc- 

 cur suddenly without any appreciable cause. The treatment will 

 consist in removing the cause of the disease, feeding well on rich 

 albuminoid food made into warm mashes, and giving ounce doses of 

 aromatic carminatives, like anise-seed, fennel-seed, etc. Rubbing 

 and stripping the udder are useful ; and the application of oil of lav- 

 ender or of turpentine, or even a blister of Spanish flies, will some- 

 times succeed. 



BLOODY MILK. 



Blood may escape with the milk when the udder has been in- 

 jured by blows, also when it is congested or inflamed, when the cir- 

 culation through it has been suddenly increased by richer and more 

 abundant food, or when the cow is under the excitement of heat. 

 The milk frothing up and assuming a pink tinge is often the first 

 sign of red-water, and it may result from eating acrid or irritant 

 plants, like -the Ranunculacea?, resinous plants, etc. Deposits of tu- 

 bercle or tumors in the udder, or induration of the gland, may be 

 efficient causes, the irritation caused by milking contributing to draw 

 the blood. Finally, there may be a reddish tinge or sediment when 

 madder or logwood has been eaten. 



In milk which becomes red after it is drawn it may be due to 

 the presence in it of the micrococcus prodigiosus. This also grows on 

 bread, and is the explanation of the supposed miracle of the "bleed- 

 ing host." 



The treatment will vary with the cause. In congested glands 

 give 1 pound of Epsom salts and daily thereafter one-half ounce 

 saltpeter, with a dram of chlorate of potash ; bathe the bag with hot 

 or cold water, and rub with camphorated lard. If the food is too 

 rich or abundant it must be reduced. If from acrid plants these 

 must be removed from pasture or fodder. Induration of the udder 

 may be met by rubbing with a combination of iodin ointment 1 part, 

 soft soap 2 parts; or mercurial ointment and soap may be used. 

 Careful milking is imperative. 



