CATARRHAL MASTITIS. 705 



size. This disease may also lead to another complication, local 

 or diffuse gangrene. It is due to thrombosis of the vessels of one 

 or several gland lobules, and is indicated by aggravation of the 

 general symptoms, great weakness of the patient and heart failure. 

 Locally, the skin of the udder assumes a blackish-violet tint, and 

 becomes cold and clammy. Death follows from exhaustion and 

 intoxication. 



(b) parenchymatous mammitis. catarrhal mastitis. 



In this form infection occurs through the teat. Sometimes the 

 galactophorous sinuses alone suffer, but generally the large milk 

 ducts are also attacked. The process may also extend to the 

 smaller milk ducts, and even into the acini of the gland. It rapidly 

 passes through the glandular wall into the interstitial tissue, thus 

 forming a mixed mammitis. When the process is confined to the 

 galactophorous sinus and collecting tubes, the quantity of milk 

 secreted is little diminished, though as inflammatory exudate from 

 the diseased mucous membrane is mixed with it, its quality may be 

 considerably altered. The more extensively the small ducts and 

 acini are involved, the greater the diminution and change in the 

 milk. In consequence, this disease by no means offers a constant 

 train of symptoms. 



Symptoms. These vary in intensity according to the case, and 

 usually occur in the following order : — Swelling of one or several 

 quarters, presence of curdled milk in the milk cistern, then of clots 

 mixed with reddish serosity ; rapid diminution or cessation of 

 the secretion of milk, and frequently suppuration in the depths of 

 the gland. The general condition of the patient may be little altered, 

 or there may be fever, loss of appetite, cessation of rumination, 

 constipation, groaning, and more or less difficulty in walking. In 

 severe attacks, infection spreads rapidly from the glandular to the 

 insterstital tissues, and there is considerable subcutaneous abdominal 

 and perineal oedema. The udder is tense, shining, very sensitive, 

 and of a reddish- violet colour. 



Parenchymatous mammitis may terminate by apparent re- 

 covery in three or four days ; the symptoms gradually subside, 

 milk returns, and the udder regains partially or wholly its former 

 condition. Complete restoration of function is, however, quite 

 exceptional, and in cases involving the smaller milk ducts and acini 

 the inflammatory process often assumes a chronic course, producing 

 thickening of the mucous lining with occlusion or stenosis of the 

 ducts, and eventually induration and atrophy of the gland. 



