582 DISEASES OF THE MAMMARY GLANDS. 



In cases of acute mammitis, where severe injury of the interstitial 

 tissue or mammary parenchyma has occurred, its physiological func- 

 tion is partially destroyed. The circulation is disturbed, the vessels 

 undergo change, the layers of connective tissue are indurated and 

 sclerotic, the epithelial tissue is not fully restored, and chronic 

 inflammation of the udder persists. 



Clinically, it is impossible to distinguish all the variations that 

 may occur, because the constituent tissues are all injured, and the 

 disease is of a mixed type, with very numerous variations. 



Symptoms. When chronic mammitis follows the acute form its 

 onset is only indicated by gradual diminution in the signs of acute 

 inflammation. The appetite is regained, and all the important vital 

 functions are properly performed. 



Nevertheless, it is possible to distinguish two different clinical 

 forms. In one, the secretion of milk is almost entirely suspended, 

 the udder becomes atrophied, shrivelled and sclerotic ; the hardening 

 gradually continues, and the patients, being useless as milch cows, 

 can only be fattened for slaughter. The induration may be partial, 

 nodular, or diffused. 



In the other form the udder is large, but the milk is replaced by 

 a purulent secretion which permeates the acini and galactophorous 

 canals. Although they eat well, the patients remain thin, and are 

 with difficulty fattened for slaughter. 



The suppuration may be diffuse or local. In rarer cases it is 

 localised in the form of " cold abscess." 



Treatment. No treatment can perfectly restore the udder after 

 chronic mammitis with sclerosis and atrophy. 



In the suppurating forms of chronic mammitis the morbid secre- 

 tion may be checked by internal irrigation of the udder and antiseptic 

 injections, but, as this .treatment necessitates careful and continued 

 attention, it is usually out of the question. 



If only one quarter is diseased the animal may be kept for milking 

 purposes, but where two or three quarters are attacked it should be 

 prepared for the butcher. 



In cows suffering from chronic purulent mammitis of all four 

 quarters, Kroon suggests removing the teats in order to facilitate 

 fattening. The teats are removed with the bistouri or scissors, by 

 which means a large opening into the galactophorous sinus is pro- 

 duced, through which the purulent secretion escapes freely and 

 continuously ; the retention of pus and intoxication in consequence of 

 resorption are prevented and the animal can be fattened, which would 

 b^ difficult without the operation, 



