674 PATHOLOGY OF PARTURITION. 



during the parturient or puerperal period, and ceasing when the progeny 

 no longer requires milk. It is during this period that the activity of the 

 mammae exercises so much influence on the health of parent and off- 

 spring, and it is also at this time that these glands are most liable to 

 derangements which are more or less serious. Even their normal 

 physiological development, when it occurs rapidly and considerably 

 under certain conditions, often occasions uneasiness and pain. Their 

 temperature is increased, and they are much more sensitive than usual. 

 But this disturbance is usually ephemeral, and rarely continues for more 

 than a day or two. It may be relieved by "stripping" the teats — the 

 importance of which, as a preventive of parturient collapse in deep- 

 milkers and plethoric Cows, has been pointed out — rubbing the udder 

 with olive-oil, or fomenting it with decoction of marsh-mallows. This 

 might be termed the normal or 'physiological engorgement of the mammae ; 

 but there is also a ijatliological engorgement to which attention has 

 been drawn by various writers, and particularly by Zundel, and to this 

 reference will now be made, as it is often the commencement of inflam- 

 mation of these glands. 



Pathological Congestion of the Mamm^. 



Hyperaemia or congestion of the mammae is not very uncommon, and 

 all female animals are liable to it ; though it is most frequently observed 

 in the Cow, Mare, Ewe, and Bitch, in degrees varying rather with the 

 causes which determine than the phenomena that accompany it. 



Causes. 



Congestion of the mammae is due to various causes : among which 

 may be cited injuries, exposure to cold air or water, or over-repletion — 

 the stings of insects have also been blamed. There is generally a 

 sympathetic excitement existing at this time, either from the animal 

 having been immediately or recently delivered, or even when it is in 

 oestrum. Most frequently, however, it occurs either when the progeny 

 cannot empty the glands, when it has been removed from the parent, or 

 when the latter has not been milked at the proper time. The tendency 

 of the mammae to become engorged when the lacteal secretion is not 

 removed, is often made available with a fraudulent motive when dis- 

 posing of Cows for milking purposes. The milk is not withdrawn for 

 some time, the glands become greatly distended and assume an excessive 

 development ("overstocking"), which may impose upon the unwary, 

 and give rise to the belief that the animal possesses extraordinary 

 lactiferous properties. Franck is of opinion that this congestion may 

 be due to obstruction of the circulation in the posterior vena cava, 

 towards the end of pregnancy. It may also arise from obstruction in 

 the milk-ducts. 



Symptoms. 

 When the congestion is due to accumulation of milk, the symptoms 

 are, of course, only gradually developed ; but if arising from injury, then 

 they may appear suddenly, a certain part becoming all at once swollen, 

 hard, and tense, but without altogether losing its softness and elasticity. 

 There is neither redness nor great sensibility ; the swelling is not 

 oedematous, and does not "pit"; there is but little fever, and the appe- 

 tite is not much affected. 



