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RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



CONGESTION OF THE UDDER (Garget) 



Swollen and caked udders. 



In heavy milkers before and just after calving it is a rule that 

 the mammary gland is enlarged, hot, tense and tender. There is 

 also a slight congestion or swelling extending forward from the 

 gland on the lower surface of the abdomen. This physiological con- 

 gestion is looked upon as a matter of course and disappears in two 

 or three days when the secretion of milk has been fully established. 

 This breaking up of the sAvollen bag may be greatly hastened by 

 the sucking of a hungry calf and the kneading it gives the udder 

 with its nose, by stripping the glands, clean thrice daily, and by 

 active rubbing at each milking with the palm of the hand, with or 

 without lard. 



The congestion may be at times aggravated by standing in a 

 draft of cold air or by neglect to milk for an entire day or more 

 (overstocking) with the view of making a great show of udder for 

 the purpose of sale. In such cases the surface of the bag pits on 

 pressure and the milk has a reddish tinge or even streaks of blood, 

 or it is partially or fully clotted, is drawn with difficulty and may 



