2i6 Diseases of the Generative System. 



abundant, or the pups being small in number, do not 

 drain the whole of the teats ; sometimes also several teats 

 are rejected, although there are sufficient young to drain 

 the whole. There are also additional causes, as cold, 

 damp quarters and unsuitable food, which by setting up 

 disorder of digestion, seriously alter the quality of the 

 secretion, probably also its constitution, when its undue 

 retention becomes an additional source of irritation and 

 disorder, the end of which is inflammation. To prevent 

 this early attention should be given to the animal, the 

 overcharged glands being relieved by removal of the milk, 

 as the teats are carefully drawn, pressure commencing 

 from above and continued downwards to the apex. 



Mammitis, or Inflammation of the Milk Gland^ arises 

 from injuries, retention of milk, and exposure to cold, 

 damp, &c., during lactation. Whatever tends to arrest 

 the process also disorders the secretion, which curdles, 

 forming hard masses composed chiefly of caseine, of 

 which the milk of canine animals contains a considerable 

 quantity. 



Symptoms. — Febrile disturbance is severe from the 

 outset to the end of the disease ; the affected glands being 

 red, hot, hard, and excessively painful. The milk when 

 pressed out contains clots, and later is mixed with blood, 

 subsequently pus, when the milk disappears. An abscess 

 forms in the part most actively inflamed, and in some 

 cases involves every section of the gland, terminating in 

 lacteal fistula, openings or sinuses which refuse to heal, 

 constantly discharging a mixture of pus, blood, milk, &c. 

 The terminations are induration and functional destruc- 

 tion of the gland, probably causing death of the sufferer. 



Treatfnent. — Bleeding by leeches in the early stages, 

 followed by a saline aperient and the hot spongio-piline 

 poultice diligently applied for hours. Perfect quiet must be 

 maintained, with fresh air and a comfortable bed. The 

 pups should be encouraged to suck, or in case of their 

 death, the gland must be drawn frequently in order to 

 avoid abscess. Injection within the gland of a solution 

 of carbonate of potash is highly useful, but is a somewhat 

 difficult task for amateurs minus a proper syringe. Some 



