Chapter XIII. 

 DISEASES OF THE MAMMARY GLAND. 



"Wounds and Bruises. 



Wounds and bruises of the udder and teats are 

 most frequent in Cows, and generally caused by treads ; 

 animals with large pendulous, udders may even tread 

 on their own teats when rising. Injuries are caused by 

 bites, or by sharp objects, like thorns. 



Surface wounds are usually unimportant, and may 

 be treated oh general principles. Bleeding is sometimes 

 •considerable at the base of the teat ; and should the 

 wound open into the gland, there may be danger of 

 milk fistulse, which may be feared only during the 

 period of lactation. Injuries to the teat may produce 

 ■cicatricial contraction, and consequent difficulty in 

 milking. 



Bruises of the udder cause bleeding, either into the 

 gland ducts, the milk then being mixed with blood, or 

 into the gland tissue, the skin, and subcutaneous tissue. 

 The blood may be absorbed, as in other soft parts, or 

 lead to the formation of pus or to putrefactive changes. 



Treatment. — In all deep wounds of the udder, the 

 first object should be to obtain healing, by first inten- 

 tion, to prevent the formation of milk fistula. In a 

 fresh wpund, the edges should be carefully disinfected 

 and sutured. The escape of milk from gaping wounds 

 ■of the teats can sometimes be prevented by the 



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