DISEASES OF COWS. 449 



bemg done by means of a tube. This plug is provided 

 with a head to prevent its slipping wholly into the teat. 



FISTULA OF TEAT.. 



When an opening forms in the side of the teat, through 

 which the milk escapes during the milking, it is known 

 as fistula. It is removed by carefully dissecting the skin 

 around the opening, and into it, as far as possible, when 

 the opening is enlarged by a slight cut at each side; the 

 edges of the wound are drawn together by stitches, one 

 safe one being put through the part where the fistula 

 existed. When the wound heals the opening is closed. 

 This must be done when the cow is dry. 



DISEASED MILK. 



Milk is subject to several imperfections resulting from 

 various diseases of the udder or from constitutional and 

 blood disorders. The most common of these imper- 

 fections is 



Bloody Milh. — This is caused mostly by physical in- 

 juries to the udder, as violent exercise, blows, stepping 

 upon it by other cows while the one is lying down, etc., 

 etc. In such cases the trouble is temporary and disap- 

 pears upon fomentation with hot water and the applica- 

 tion of a stimulatino* liniment. It is sometimes due to 

 defective action of the secretory glands, which may be 

 temporary or permanent, but is usually temporary and is 

 quickly remedied by giving a cooling laxative and alter- 

 ative, as a pound of Epsom salts with one ounce of hypo- 

 sulphite of soda, following, for a week or ten days. 



Blue and Watery Milk is an indication of the serious 

 disease known as tuberculosis. As this disease is infec- 

 tious and generally fatal in course of a few months, and 

 the milk is quite unfit for food in some cases, a careful 

 investigation should be made to discover if this disease is 



