INJURIES TO THE TEATS. yiy 



For this purpose, perhaps nothing is better than carbolized glycerine 

 (i to 20), or, in very severe cases, to watery solution of silicate of 

 soda. It may expedite recovery to touch the fissures lightly with nitrate 

 of silver, and to cover the teat with an india-rubber capsule or ring. 



Obliteration of the Galactophorus Sinus. 

 This may result from fissures, disease, or growths of various kinds, or 

 it may be congenital (atresia), and is most frequently observed in the 

 Cow. It may be either partial or complete. 



Symptoms. 



When due to fissures or disease, the symptoms are gradually developed ; 

 but when the occlusion is congenital, they suddenly appear either imme- 

 diately before or after parturition, when the gland becomes active. Then 

 the udder is distended, but no milk issues from the teat; the distention 

 increases, and if relief is not afforded, inflammation and suppuration may 

 result. On examination of the end of the teat in congenital atresia, pres- 

 sure, as if in milking, and if the skin alone be the obstacle, will cause a 

 slight prominence where the opening of the sinus should be, the milk 

 being felt in the sinus. Should the occlusion extend higher, and the 

 whole or a portion of the sinus be obliterated, then this prominence will 

 not be produced, and the obstacle will be discovered towards the base of 

 the teat. 



Occlusion brought about by inflammation, hypertrophy of the mucous 

 membrane lining the sinus, or the development of any growth — as a wart 

 — does not occur suddenly ; and in milking it will be observed that the 

 stream of fluid gradually becomes smaller, until at last it can only be 

 drawn drop by drop, or its flow has completely ceased. 



Treati7ient. 



When the occlusion is only due to the skin — which is not uncommon 

 in primiparae — a small crucial incision made through it by the bistoury 

 or lancet, is generally ail that is necessary. The sinus of the teat is dis- 

 tended with milk by pressure from the base, and the prominence at the 

 end is then incised. To prevent the wound closing, a small bougie is in- 

 troduced into the sinus for four or five days until the wound has cica- 

 trized j it should only be taken out at milking time. Fiirstenberg states 

 that he has seen the opening thus made remain permeable during the 

 whole period of lactation, but close again when this period expired ; and 

 a second operation had to be performed at the next calving. 



When the obstacle is in the sinus of the teat, at the narrow part of the 

 canal, and immediately above the sphincter, a fine trocar or stocking- 

 needle, previously cleaned in boiling water and dipped in carbolic acid 

 solution, must be passed into it and through the obstruction, when the 

 milk will flow. To prevent closure, the cannula of the trocar or a teat- 

 syphon may be inserted for some days, the opening being closed by a 

 cork except at milking-time. Or a solid gutta-percha sound may be em- 

 ployed until an artificial mucous membrane is found, removing it when 

 milking. 



When the canal is only partially obstructed, and the milk yet flows, the 

 introduction of a small feather — pigeon's — or a piece of thick catgut, will, 

 with a little patience, gradually effect dilatation. But should it not suffice, 

 and particularly if a wart is the cause of obstruction, ao incision will be 



