ATRESIA OF THE LACTEAL DUCT 129 



ing" the stretching every few days. The best method is 

 to dilate and allow the duct to collapse repeatedly, 

 from six to ten times at each treatment. Insert the 

 dilator, expand it as far as indicated, and then hold 

 it there for one or two minutes ; take it out, wait a 

 couple of minutes, and repeat. Do this from six to 

 eight times at each sitting, and in a few days again. 

 Three to five of these courses of stretching accomplish 

 the desired result. 



The other form which we can also treat successfully 

 is a narrowing of the orifice of the duct from collec- 

 tions of evaporated mucus or similar concretions. 

 These collect just inside the edge of the orifice and are 

 of the consistency of dry putty. When an instrument 

 is passed over them, a faint, scraping sound can be 

 detected. 



They are to be very gently removed with a small 

 eye curette or an ear spoon, and the parts are then to 

 be given an application of glycerin by means of a 

 cotton swab. 



Cases of true atresia of the distal end of the lacteal 

 duct which occur occasionally in heifers can also be 

 treated with very satisfactory results. The duct is per- 

 fect except for the appearance of the orifice through 

 the skin. 



When the teat has been thoroughly cleansed, the 

 pointed stilet of an exploring trocar is used to punc- 

 ture the skin. This puncture is made exactly in the 

 center of the pit, which is always present, and just 

 deep enough so that the point penetrates the skin. 

 With slight pressure, but not enough to cause the stilet 

 to enter deeper, it is turned from right to left, and 

 from left to right a few times. It is then withdrawn 

 and laid aside. A small sharp curette is now used 

 to enlarge the opening until it is of such size that a 



