MAMMITIS on MA a Tins. 67^ 



Goat and Sheep, and is still more rare in the Mare. It is seldom 

 witnessed in the Bitch, Sow, or Cat ; though when it does occur in the 

 foinner, it is liable to lead to the formation of neoplasms of different 

 characters in the glands. 



Various kinds of inriamniation of the mammary glands have been 

 described — such as superficial or subcutaneous, and deej) ; acute and 

 chronic, acticc and ^^tiisa-c or latent, and a rheumatisiiial form ; while 

 Saiut-Cyr gives a catarrhal, a i)}ilc(jmonous, and a parcnchijmatous 

 mamniitis. 



The catarrJial form is — so far as its symptoms are concerned — allied 

 to that which we have described as due to congestion, and consists in 

 an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the teats and lactiferous 

 sinuses. This inflammation is generally caused by the retention of 

 millc in the gland ; this fluid becomes altered and coagulated, and the 

 clots irritate tlie membrane and inflame it, the inflammation extending 

 to the acini after a time. In the Cow the inflammation usually com- 

 mences in one quarter or gland, and may remain limited to it ; or it 

 may extend to the other quarter of the same side, and even to one or 

 both of the opposite side — though this is rare — by an extension of the 

 morbid process from the acini to the interstitial and interglandular 

 connective tissue. When more than one quarter is involved, then the 

 disease in each varies in intensity. 



When limited to the mucous membrane, the inflammation induces a 

 kind of catarrh or special galactorrhcea which, according to Gerlach, is 

 not at all uncommon, and accounts for the serous or watery milk some- 

 times given by Cows ; and the same agency may lead to the spontaneous 

 coagulation of the milk, without any acidity being present. 



Sijmjjtonis. 



The animal does not at first appear to be much affected, and the 

 swollen gland or glands are evidently not very painful, the pain being 

 probably of a dull character. The skin is tense and shining, though 

 perhaps not reddened ; the teat is greatly enlarged, hard, and some- 

 what sensitive to manipulation. The swelling is rather ^edematous 

 superficially, but when deeper the tissue of the gland is found to be 

 somewhat harder, and towards the teat rather lumpy, from the presence 

 of coagula of casein. 



By mulsion, a rose or i-ed-tinted fluid is obtained, which looks like 

 decomposed clotted milk. 



Witli careful and frequent milking, and attention to diet and hygiene, 

 complete resolution may take place within three or four days ; the 

 secretion gradually becomes normal in quantity and quality, though for 

 more days it may contain numerous colostrum and pus globules. If 

 neglected, however, or mismanaged in treatment, the inflammation may 

 become more serious, and attack the milk vesicles and their parenchyma 

 — the real glandular tissues — giving rise to parenchymatous mammitis; 

 or it may remain localised, though increasing in intensity. Then the 

 secretion of milk is greatly diminished in the gland, and what is with- 

 drawn by mulsion is altered — containing, as it does, mucus, pus, and 

 clots, all emitting a highly ammoniacal odour. 



This catarrhal condition may continue for a considerable time, and it 

 may happen that the matter contained in the sinuses and ducts, be- 

 coming inspissated, escapes from the teat with difiiculty, or not at all ; 

 so that, in accmnulating in these cavities, it forms deposits — half milk, 



