INTERSTITIAL OR PERENCIIYMATOUS MAMMITIS 499 



If the inflammation be acute and the induration 

 extensive, the animal may die before that softening 

 and suppuration has set in, the pressure of the in- 

 flammatory exudates on the blood-vessels of the udder 

 being so great as to stop the circulation and lead to 

 mortification of the udder. 



If the suppuration be diffused, death may also 

 result by blood-poisoning (septicaemia pyaemia) and 

 general prostration, the animal partaking of no food to 

 sustain life. 



Causes. — The causes are various : roup-h handlino- 



o o 



and bad milking. Blows from the head of the calf or 

 lamb in the act of sucking. Lying on a damp or cold 

 surface, chills from drafts of cold air from doors and 

 windows, and sometimes contagion, as in abortion, 

 from organisms gaining an entrance to the udder by 

 the teat. 



Remedies. — Have the cow or ewe housed and 

 made comfortable. If cold weather, cover the body 

 with a rug. Administer a full dose of saline purga- 

 tive. Restrict the diet to one that will only support 

 life, and not form milk. 



Support the udder with a bandage and anoint the 

 udder with camphorated mercurial ointment or bella- 

 dona ointment. Apply the ointment three times daily 

 with gentle friction and manipulation, but do not 

 irritate the skin ; at same time strip the teats and 

 remove the secreted milk and pus. Fomentations and 

 poultices may also be required, and for contagious or 

 septic inflammation of the udder, injections of boracic 

 acid, and other agents should be employed, but as the 

 operation is a delicate one and in some cases has led 

 to serious and fatal consequences, we would not advise 

 any one but an experienced veterinarian to attempt it. 

 The prevention of the spread of contagious mammitis 



