676 PATHOLOGY OF FAETURITIOK. 



This condition has often been confounded with inflammation of the 

 udder, though it must be admitted that it sometimes constitutes the 

 initial stage of mammitis. It may be distinguished from the latter by 

 the non-existence of general symptoms, and also locally by the absence 

 of the peculiar density or hardness, and the extreme painfulness and 

 sensibility, which mark the presence of the latter. 



According to Franck, this mammary oedema (or Floss) is peculiar to 

 many parts of the Bavarian Alps, and he appears to consider it as 

 inflammation of the skin and connective tissue of the gl&nd (Entzilndung 

 der Ueberzilge des Enters und des Zellgeicehes). It always appears 

 some days, on occasions some weeks, before parturition, and the whole 

 udder is involved ; though one side may be more affected than the 

 other. The swelling sometimes extends as high as the vulva, and even 

 beyond it. Sometimes the skin is reddened, tense, and shining {Erythema 

 mammilarum) ; in other instances it is normal. The health is seldom 

 unaffected, and this is a characteristic feature of the disease ; there is also 

 rarely any pain, or alteration in the secretion — colostrum or ordinary 

 milk flowing from the teat. When, however, the connective tissue is 

 involved, there is swelling and "pitting" on pressure, the skin is 

 reddened, and the finger indentations last for some time ; there is also 

 more pain. This latter condition has sometimes been designated the 

 " erysipelatous " form of mastitis; though it must be observed that the 

 secretion of milk is unaltered to any extent. It continues for about 

 eight days. 



When the skin is much inflamed, as in the erysipelatous form, Franck 

 thinks it probable that a special cause — a kind of infection of the skin 

 — is in operation. 



Treatment. 



This malady, in the greater number of cases, does not require any 

 special treatment. If the animal eats well and is not much incon- 

 venienced, the mammae should be relieved of their contents either by 

 allowing the offspring to suck, milking by hand every two hours, or 

 draining off' the fluid by the teat-syphon. When the swelling is great 

 and the skin tense, smearing with lard, butter, or olive-oil will often 

 give relief, and aid in dispersing the tumefaction. 



When mammitis is apprehended, Ziindel highly recommends in- 

 unction with camphorated pomade, which, he asserts, is almost specific 

 in its deobstruent action. At the same time salines, and particularly 

 bicarbonate of soda, are to be administered internally ; while a moderate 

 quantity of easily-digested food is to be given. 



When the redness or inflammation of the skin has a tendency to 

 become erysipelatous, Franck prescribes an ointment composed of 

 sulphate of iron (one part) and lard (eight parts) ; or a hniment of 

 carbolic acid (one part) and olive-oil (thirty to forty parts). 



Inflammation of the Mamm^. 



All the domestic animals are liable to inflammation of the mammae; 

 and it is somewhat frequent after parturition, though it also appears 

 after abortion. The Cow is oftenest attacked, and from the importance 

 of the lacteal secretion in this animal it is always more or less serious, 

 especially as it may continue during the whole period of lactation ; it 

 generally affects the best milk-producers. It is not so common in the 



