216 Diseases of the Generative System. 
abundant, or the pups being small in number, do not 
drain the whole of the teats ; sometimes also several teats 
are rejected, although there are sufficient young to drain 
the whole. There are also additional causes, as cold, 
damp quarters and unsuitable food, which by setting up 
disorder of digestion, seriously alter the quality of the 
secretion, probably also its constitution, when its undue 
retention becomes an additional source of irritation and 
disorder, the end of which is inflammation. ‘To prevent. 
this early attention should be given to the animal, the 
overcharged glands being relieved by removal of the milk, 
as the teats are carefully drawn, pressure commencing 
from above and continued downwards to the apex. 
Mammitis, or Znflammation of the Milk Gland, arises 
from injuries, retention of milk, and exposure to cold, 
damp, &c., during lactation. Whatever tends to arrest 
the process also disorders the secretion, which curdles, 
forming hard masses composed chiefly of caseine, of 
which the milk of canine animals contains a considerable 
quantity. 
Symptoms.—Febrile disturbance is severe from the 
outset to the end of the disease ; the affected glands being 
red, hot, hard, and excessively painful. The milk when 
pressed out contains clots, and later is mixed with blood, 
subsequently pus, when the milk disappears. An abscess 
forms in the part most actively inflamed, and in some 
cases involves every section of the gland, terminating in 
lacteal fistule, openings or sinuses which refuse to heal, 
constantly discharging a mixture of pus, blood, milk, &c. 
The terminations are induration and functional destruc- 
tion of the gland, probably causing death of the sufferer. 
Treatment.—Bleeding by leeches in the early stages, 
followed by a saline aperient and the hot spongio-piline 
poultice diligently applied for hours. Perfect quiet must be 
maintained, with fresh air and a comfortable bed. The 
pups should be encouraged to suck, or in case of their 
death, the gland must be drawn frequently in order to 
avoid abscess. Injection within the gland of a solution 
of carbonate of potash is highly useful, but is a somewhat 
difficult task for amateurs minus a proper syringe. Some 
