MAMMITI3. 641 



is to be proliibited, and water must be allowed sparingly. Some 

 practitioners recommend stimulants; but unless there be gan- 

 grene of the gland, and much general debility, tliis method is 

 calculated to do harm. 



The local treatment is of great importance. In the first place, 

 the milk ought to be frequently drawn ; and if this cannot be 

 done with the hand, the teat-syphon must be used. The with- 

 drawal of the milk, which is curdled and often mixed with 

 blood, and fomentations with warm water, are generally suffi- 

 cient for the milder cases ; but when the udder is much swollen, 

 it becomes a duty to relieve the animal of the increase of weight 

 — which of itself is a source of much suffering — by the applica- 

 tion of a broad bandage, made so as to envelope the whole gland, 

 and fastened over the back. This bandage can be made to con- 

 tain a poultice ; and if holes be cut in it for the passage of the 

 teats, there will be no necessity to remove it when it is desirable 

 to milk the cow. The best material for a poultice in cases of 

 this kind is spent hops. They are very light, contain much 

 moisture, and can be easily changed when necessary ; they are 

 also ver)^ soothing, and do not irritate when they become dry. 

 The udder is to be rubbed with the extract of belladonna, which 

 also may be dissolved and mixed with the poultice. The bella- 

 donna serves a twofold purpose ; it allays the pain and irrita- 

 tion, and, by relaxing the sphincter of the teat, allows the 

 spontaneous escape of the milk. If suppuration occur, the 

 abscesses are to be opened, the pus allowed to escape, and the 

 wounds dressed with mild astringent antiseptics. 



Gangrene of the gland may necessitate the removal of the 

 dead portion by excision ; but before using the knife the practi- 

 tioner must ponder over the probabilities of the case. The 

 late Mr. Barlow recommended early excision. I am, however, 

 of opinion that this should not be done, for the dead parts, if 

 time be allowed, will separate from the living, and are then 

 easily removed by moderate traction; the fcetor of the dis- 

 charges being in the meantime modified by deodorising agents, 

 as Condy's fluid, carbolic acid, chloride of zinc, or the hyposul- 

 phite of soda, and the animal's strength supported by good food, 

 milk, eggs, as weU as ale or stout, and the appetite stimulated 

 by stomachics. 



2t 



