CHAPPED OR CRACKED TEATS 137 



CHAPPED OR CRACKED TEATS 



This condition varies from slight degrees of ery- 

 thema to extensive involvement of the sub-dermal 

 tissues. 



When the condition has been allowed to become 

 chronic so that the teat is the seat of deep cracks or 

 fissures it may prove quite resistant to treatment. The 

 repeated stretching and other manipulations to which 

 the teat is subjected during the process of milking 

 greatly hinders the healing process. 



When the condition is confined to the superficial skin 

 good results can be obtained from compound tincture 

 of benzoin applied with a camel's-hair brush after milk- 

 ing. Three or four days of such treatment effects a 

 cure. In those cases which are of long standing and 

 in which cracks and fissures of considerable depth are 

 present, we have obtained the best results from solu- 

 tions of chinosol in 1 to 1000 strength. After each 

 milking a cup or a tumbler is filled with the solution 

 into which the affected teat is plunged, holding the cup 

 or the tumbler so that its rim rests against the udder. 

 At least five minutes should be consumed in the bath 

 in this manner, after each milking. 



In many quite severe chronic cases three or four of 

 these baths or soakings produce a marked improve- 

 ment and a week of such treatment usually suffices 

 to bring complete healing. In exceptionally severe 

 cases it may help to hasten matters if the cracks are 

 first lightly cauterized witli a mild solution of silver 

 nitrate. 



In occasional cases, those usually termed ''sore" 

 teats, the lesions are arranged in patches, some of 



