60 MASTITIS OF THE COW 



as previously stated. The quarter is more or less severely 

 swollen and hard. The quantity of milk is more or less 

 diminished. The milk may contain a red-colored serous 

 fluid, indicating a primary lesion of diffuse necrosis, or 

 consist of a yellow, thick, purulent fluid indicative of in- 

 flammation and which may contain free yellow croupous 

 membranes in severe udder conditions. 



Upon microscopical examination of the sediment one 

 observes Gram positive staphylococci as mono- or diplococci 

 but seldom in groups. 



When the primary lesion is severe the condition is ac- 

 companied by fever, which is very high if gangrene sets in. 

 When the inflammation begins fever disappears. 



Prognosis. — In recently fresh and good milking cows 

 the prognosis is less favorable. A severe primary lesion 

 without indications of inflammation (emigi*ation of leuco- 

 cytes ) , but with high fever, is a very unfavorable symptom 

 and is indicative of a fatal termination. Gangi-ene is also 

 a very unfavorable sign. 



Inflaimnation with purulent milk and reduction of 

 fever is a very good indication. 



Treatment. — Prophylaxis. — The condition may be 

 entirely infectious. Therefore one should observe the com- 

 mon measures for prevention of infection. One should 

 be particularly careful to see that cows which have recently 

 freshened do not come in direct or indirect contact with 

 the patients through the milking process. 



The actual treatment is principally the same for udder- 

 streptomycosis. 



In cases which present a severe primary lesion without 

 inflammation but with high fever one may endeavor to 

 save the life of the animal by extirpation of that half of the 

 udder which contains the diseased quarter. 



If one does not favor this operation he may apply deep 

 cautery or deep point-firing into the quarter. 



