INFECTIOUS MASTITIS IN GENERAL 25 



to ansemia of the skin following vasoconstriction [chill]. 

 In this stage the body temperature ascends as a result of 

 increased heat production by muscle spasms and the di- 

 minished heat radiation due to ansemia of the skin. [Visce- 

 ral congestion, retention of waste products, and increased 

 retrogressive cellular metabolism also play a part in heat 

 production.] 



In consequence of the high temperature and the great 

 heat loss through hypereemia of the skin, combustion and 

 consumption of energy are very great in fever. 



Death may be produced in septic intoxication by paraly- 

 sis of the heart or the vital nerve centres by the effect 

 of toxins. 



In exudative gangrene a putrid toxin or putrefactive 

 poison [cadaverin] is formed which produces putrid intoxi- 

 cation when resorbed. An intoxication of this kind is 

 called septic-putrid intoxication [septico-sapremia]. 



Putrid intoxication also presents symptoms of fever. 

 Dea,th may easily occur in this condition, and it is pro- 

 duced with distinct paralysis of the nerve centres, indicated 

 by collapse, with subnormal temperature, muscular paraly- 

 sis, and loss of consciousness (narcosis). 



Termination. — Milk-infection or parenchymatous 

 mastitis is seldom fatal. The cause of death is septic or 

 septic-putrid intoxication. 



This general intoxication can, however, usually reduce 

 the milk secretion and nutritive condition of the animal. 



The udder can heal after desquamation and removal 

 of the necrotic parts. Healing takes place with loss of 

 substance which is principally replaced by connective tis- 

 sue with atrophy of the milk-producing parenchyma. 



The duration of the condition depends upon the quan- 

 tity and quality of the primary lesion and may be from four 

 days to one month or even longer, as is the case in nodular 

 necrosis. 



