6 Anatomy, Pathology and Histology of the Mammary Gland. 



The acute forms of mastitis interest those engaged in milk 

 hygiene but little, since noticeable changes in the milk quickly fol- 

 low the commencement of the inflammation, and the animals soon 

 stop their secretion. On the other hand the hidden forms of inflam- 

 mation are of the greatest importance because the milk is fre- 

 quently almost unchanged, and does not always indicate its ined- 

 ible condition. Such conditions of the udder may vary from a 

 simple catarrh to a purulent inflammation. The manifestations 

 of these forms of inflammation vary to a great extent, and the 

 symptoms may be only slightly pronounced, so that a single clin- 



Fig. 2. 



Fibrinous form of parenchymatous mastitis; separation of quarters plainly visible. (After Kitt.) 



ical examination may cause a suspicion, but a positive diagnosis 

 cannot always be established. 



Literature shows that slightly marked swelling of the affected 

 quarters, increased local temperature, nodular formation of the 

 parenchyma, and induration of the glandular tissue, may appear 

 in the most varied forms, sometimes with and sometimes without 

 general symptoms. At the beginning it may be localized around 

 the base of the teats, but the hardening of the glands then pro- 

 gresses forward, upward and backward (Sven Wall). 



The examination of the milk ducts should not be neglected. 

 The mucous membrane of the cistern may have become inflamed, 



