540 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



this is the mildest ; in the other form the interior of the 

 gland is affected. Any one, or more, of the quarters may- 

 be affected, and occasionally the whole of the gland may be 

 involved in the inflammatory process. 



Causes. — There are a great many causes which operate in 

 the production of mammitis. Amongst these may be men- 

 tioned exposure to extreme cold, sudden alternations of 

 temperature, such as very hot days followed by cold nights; 

 injuries of any kind, as kicks, wounds from briars, stings of 

 insects, the udder coming into contact with poisonous plants, 

 etc. Indigestion may also cause it ; and irregular milking 

 is a prolific cause of the condition in city cows. Neglecting 

 to completely empty the udder at each milking has a 

 tendency to cause an attack. Ovei'-stocking will also cause 

 it, especially in those cases where the cow is driven a long 

 distance whilst suffering from an over-distended udder. 



Symptoms. — Often the first symptom observed is slight 

 lameness of the animal ; and if the inflammation is con- 

 fined to one quarter, or one half of the gland on one side, 

 the lameness may be observed to be in connection with the 

 hind limb of the same side. In the case of the two posterior 

 quarters, or the whole, of the gland being inflamed, the 

 animal may exhibit lameness or stiffness in both hind limbs. 

 Lameness, however, is not always present, but there is 

 always more or less stiffness of gait and a straddling action 

 of the hind-legs, which increases as the inflammation and 

 swelling of the mammary gland increase. The secretion 

 of milk becomes more or less impaired, according to the 

 intensity of the inflammation. The patient usually has a 

 chill, which passes off and is succeeded by heavy breathing ; 

 the muzzle becomes dry and hot, and all the indications of 

 fever are presented. The udder, on being examined, is found 

 to be considerably swollen, hard in the affected portions, 

 and very hot and tender, the patient, as a rule, strongly 



