332 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



days or a slight swelling is found in the udder, to severe 

 cases where the udder becomes so swollen that no milk can 

 be drawn, and which may end with the permanent loss of the 

 udder. 



Congestion of the Udder. With heavy milkers as a rule 

 the udder is enlarged and more or less hot and tender just 

 after calving. This swelling may extend forward to some 

 extent on the abdomen. This condition is to be expected, 

 and need not cause any anxiety. It is more pronounced when 

 the animal has been well fed and is in good flesh. When this 

 condition exists, the animal should not receive much grain 

 until the udder softens. The ration should be laxative in 

 nature, and of a light character. Bran is especially adapted 

 for feeding at this time. The milk should be drawn several 

 times during the day, followed by active rubbing or kneading 

 of the udder. The cow should be kept from exposure to cold 

 weather and to cold drafts, and off cold, wet floors, until the 

 swelling leaves the udder. 



Inflammation of the Udder. This common trouble is also 

 known as mammitis or as garget. It varies greatly in severity. 

 Many times the symptoms observed are swellings in the udder 

 that do not even interfere with the milk secretion beyond 

 causing a tenderness of the udder for a few days. Or the milk 

 may be lumpy and full of threads, with no noticeable hardness 

 in the udder. The milker should observe the condition of 

 every cow carefully when milking, and report any abnormal 

 condition noticed at once to the herdsman or take such action 

 as seems necessary. Prompt action is always advisable, lest 

 the conditions become severe. Such light attacks probably 

 come from a variety of causes. It is generally believed that 

 certain bacteria of the streptococcus group are responsible 



