Abnormal Milk 209 



ALTERED MILK SECRETION 



After an animal has given birth to young, if there is 

 a scant secretion of milk she should be given plenty of 

 waterj- food, especially bran mashes, as these tend to 

 increase the milk flow and they have a laxative effect 

 on the bowels. When the udder is swollen or inflamed, 

 soft watery foods should not be given. 



The milk may be abnormal or altered in any one of 

 several particulars. In some cases there is little or no 

 fat in the milk. This may be habitual to the animal or 

 it may be caused by improper food, especially by foods 

 which are poor in nourishing materials, such as bad hay 

 or corn-stalks, and such foods as swill or refuse of any 

 kind. In treating this condition, a careful examination 

 should be made for disease of any kind that would 

 interfere with the health of the animal; the food sup- 

 plied should be rich and easily digested. If the condi- 

 tion is natural to the cow, it is a good plan to fatten 

 her for the market. 



Bloody milk is frequently seen, especially soon after 

 calving. This is the result of a rupture of some of the 

 small blood-vessels that surround the secreting cells, 

 or it may be due to a local injury or to a diseased con- 

 dition of the udder, such as might result from a tumor 

 or tuberculosis in this gland. In the treatment, condi- 

 tions responsible for the disease should be looked foi*, 

 and, if possible, removed. Bathing the udder with hot 

 water and milking frequently give good results. 



Blue, bitter, "slippery" or putrid milk, is caused by 

 the presence of germs which have gained entrance to 



