990 Veterinary Obstetrics 



The prognosis is favorable, except for the danger of infection 

 of the glandular tissue itself, leading to mastitis and a disturbance 

 of the milk-secreting functions. 



The handling of dermatitis of the udder should be specially de- 

 termined for each case, according to the cause. Generallj' the 

 treatment should consist of the application of antiseptics and 

 protectives to the injured skin. When the teats are fissured 

 and excoriated as a result of exposure to damp winds, or of 

 wetting the teats during milking and not properly drying them, 

 great care should be taken to thoroughly cleanse them with a 

 warm antiseptic solution. Immediately afterward a protective 

 antiseptic dressing should be applied. One will usually obtain 

 excellent results by first cleansing the parts with warm antiseptic 

 solution and then applj'ing, after the completion of the milking, 

 a mixture of one part each of tincture of iodine, glycerine, and 

 tincture of arnica. Such a mixture should be sparingly applied, 

 so as to constitute a thin coating over the part. Care should 

 be taken to not apply so much as to make the parts sticky, and 

 thereby cause dirt to adhere. Vennerholm suggests the applica- 

 tion of a salve, consisting of tannic acid and oxide of lead, or 

 other similar substances, but such applications cause dirt to 

 adhere and keep the teat soiled, unless applied very sparingly. 



If gangrene of the skin is threatened, antiseptics should be 

 applied more liberall)^, and it is suggested by some writers that 

 the skin should be scarified, antiseptic poultices applied, and the 

 udder supported by a bandage. 



If the gangrene extends into the deeper parts of the teat, it 

 may be advisable to amputate it in order to hasten recovery. If 

 the gangrene extends into the cistern, the glandular tissue is 

 almost inevitably involved in mammitis, and the amputation of 

 the teat affords excellent drainage for the gland and permits all 

 excretions to drop away almost immediately. 



20. FURUNCULOSIS OF THE UdDER. 



Johne has recorded a special form of disease of the udder of 

 the cow, under the name of furunculosis. In the cases thus re- 

 corded, there occurred swellings, which were one-quarter to two 

 inches in diameter, chiefly above the base of the teat. The 

 swellings were quite hard and painful for a time, but after some 

 weeks fluctuated and finally ruptured, discharging pus, mixed 



