GARGET. 63 



After the purulent and bloody discharge has ceased, and the teat 

 seems to be free from inflammation, and nearly of its natural s.i7e, 

 colour, and softness, it will be prudent to continue the ointment daily, 

 and this last drink occasionally for two or three weeks at the least. 



Cases, however, will occur, either neo^lected at the beginning, or 

 the beast being too fat, and very much disposed to inflammation, in 

 which the teat" and the whole quarter will long continue hard and 

 sw^elled, end tender, and will get worse and worse. The whole of 

 the affecteu part must then be carefully examined, to ascertain whe- 

 ther there is matter within, and whether it is pointing, i. e., whether 

 there is a part a little more prominent and softer than the rest. If 

 this is detected, it should be freely opened with a lancet or penknife, 

 the matter suffered to flow out, and the wound dressed with Tincture 

 of Aloes or Friar's Balsam. Slight incisions with a lancet, where 

 matter cannot be detected, will often be serviceable. The flow of 

 blood should be encouraged by fomentations with warm water. The 

 teats are sometimes cut off in obstinate cases of this kind ; but that 

 should, if possible, be avoided, for the quarter will be lost, and there 

 will be a serious diminution in the quantity of milk as long as the 

 cow lives. The teat may be cut deeply in order to let out the matter. 

 This wound will readily heal again, and the quarter will be as useful 

 as ever. 



If the udder appears gangrenous, it should be scarified with a 

 lancet, and a solution of chloride of lime applied, whilst the strength 

 of the animal should be supported by tonic medicine. 



When the cow dies, it is generally from mortification, to prevent 

 which it is often necessary to remove not only the affected teat, but 

 the whole of the quarter. A skilful man, more competent than a 

 common cow-leach, should be employed for this purpose. 



A frequent but unsuspected cause of this disease is the hasty and 

 careless mode of milking which is often adopted. A considerable 

 quantity of milk is left in the bag, particularly when a cow gives her 

 milk slowly. This is not only a loss to the farmer, from so much 

 less milk finding its w^ay into the dairy-room, and from the quantity 

 of milk regularfy secreted in the udder of the cow gradually dimin- 

 ishing; but the milk curdles in the teats, and produces swellings, and 

 lays the foundation for garget. 



^The Sore Teats to which some cows are subject is a very different 

 disease, and often a very troublesome one. It usually occurs a little 

 while after they have calved. If it happens in the summer, the ani- 

 mals are so sadly tormented by the flies, that it is difficult to milk 

 them ; and the discharge from the cracks and wounds passing through 

 the hand in the act of milking, and mingling with the milk, renders 

 it disgustino-, if not unwholesome. 



The following ointment will generally be found effectual : — 



RECIPE (No. 27). 

 Ointmeyit for Sore Tents.— T^kf, elder nintment, six ounces ; bees' wax. two ounces 

 mix them toeethpr. and add an ounce each of sugar of lead and alum, in fine ^wder 

 -<tir them well together until cold. 



