DISEASES OF THE MAMMARY GLAND. 131 



<iuct ; a drop of milk may form a suitable medium for 

 pathogenic bacteria, the organisms passing ultimately 

 to the smallest divisions of the affected portion of the 

 ^land; retention of milk in the gland, through its 

 being a suitable medium for the development of bacteria. 

 <3) Infection through the blood stream, which is 

 probably rare. 



This author gives the following divisions of acute 

 mammitis, viz.: 



Inflammation of the Stroma, of which there are the 

 traumatic and phlegmonous forms. 



TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION. 



Only surface injuries remain confined to the con- 

 nective tissue of the udder ; the deeper reaching involve 

 the true gland tissue. 



PHLEGMONOUS MASTITIS. 



The disease generally starts from surface injuries ; 

 the bacteria entering the skin and sub-cutis, set up 

 inflammation, which generally extends to the capsule 

 and the stroma of the gland. The process may extend 

 to several quarters, or may even attack the entire udder. 

 The skin and sub-cutis are at first oedematous ; later 

 infiltrated with plastic material. We have then an 

 erysipelatous or phlegmonous condition, of which the 

 skin is the special seat. 



Symptoms. — Introduced by swelling and redness ; 

 generally diffuse, seldom limited. Appears suddenly ; 

 skin at first appears bright red, afterwards bluish. 

 Swelling is then soft and doughy, later becomes hard 

 and firm. Skin often exceedingly hot. Pain seldom 



