114 MASTITIS OF THE COW 



Termination. — Udder-actinomycosis is a typical local 

 condition and causes a progressive gradual destruction of 

 the udder, extending over the course of a year. 



Clinical Symptoms. — The condition is very chronic. 

 The affection usually begins in one quarter, but it can 

 aff'ect other quarters by extension or by infection through 

 the teat canal. The quarters affected are enlarged, espe- 

 cially in their inferior portions. The increased part is hard 

 and painless. 



The lymph-gland of the diseased quarter is swollen if 

 the condition is an old one. Usually it is not enlarged. 



The quantity of milk gradually diminishes. The milk 

 is of normal appearance for a long time, even for several 

 months, but gradually becomes thin and mixed with pus 

 and finally yellow and purulent, still continuing somewhat 

 thin. 



Upon microscopical examination of the sediment in an 

 unstained coverslip preparation made by careful isolation 

 of the elements of the sediment in physiological salt solu- 

 tion by the use of a needle, usually a very few, seldom 

 many, actinomyces colonies were observed outside the cells. 

 These actinomyces colonies are always very small and very 

 spongy and frequently present a very indistinct radiating 

 form. The yellow color, the rounded crenated margin, 

 the homogeneous waxy condition and the cells are usually 

 of great assistance in finding the colonies with low mag- 

 nification ( ca. 30 diameters ) . 



Diagnosis with the microscope is usually very difficult 

 and errors may easily occur ; that is, one may find no actino- 

 myces colonies after diligent search in spite of the fact that 

 udder-actinomycosis is present. I have had one case of 

 this kind. 



Preparations stained after the method of Gram also 

 gave uncertain results. In preparations stained by the 

 acid-fast method one can sometimes find a few fine acid- 



