570 DISEASES OF THE MAMMARY GLANDS. 



sutures without touching the external orifice and without passing over 

 it (Fig. 238). The discharge of fluid being then entirely stopped, the 

 external portion of the fistula is thoroughly cleansed, powdered with 

 iodoform, and finally closed with external, closely-applied sutures. These 

 sutures are protected with a little cotton-wool or collodion dressing, and 

 healing then almost invariably occurs. 



The animal should be given a very clean bed, and closely watched 

 to prevent it tearing out the milk catheter. On the fourth or fifth day 

 the catheter is removed, and is afterwards only used at intervals. 



As all the sutures can be of aseptic catgut or silk, there is no 

 necessity to trouble about their removal. The dressing can be left 

 until it falls away of itself. 



INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 



CONGESTION OF THE UDDER. 



Congestion — i.e., distension of the vascular plexus as a consequence of 

 momentary stasis, vaso-motor disturbance, or paralysis of the little vessels 

 in the udder — -can only be regarded as pathological in cases when it pre- 

 cedes mammitis or when it results from prolonged neglect to milk the 

 animal, external irritation, etc. It was studied long ago by H. d'Arboval, 

 Gelle, Delafond, Trasbot, Lucet, etc. 



It also occurs, but in a form which might almost be termed physio- 

 logical, after the first parturition in the large milch breeds, where the 

 rush of blood which precedes secretion is very great. 



Symptoms. The udder is swollen, tense, doughy, shining, and 

 cedematous, not very painful on pressure, but sufficiently so to interfere 

 with movement. The general condition is little altered, but the tem- 

 perature of the udder is abnormally high. 



Manipulation reveals the existence of more or less cedema, the parts 

 preserving the imprint of the finger. Sometimes this cedema extends 

 along the abdominal wall in front of the udder. The milk may be 

 grumous or even sanguinolent. The congestive state continues for 

 some days, eight to ten at the most, and may gradually disappear by 

 resolution. Not infrequently it terminates in acute mammitis after 

 forty-eight hours. 



Lesions. In simple mammary congestion the lesions are confined 

 to excessive dilatation of the peri-acinous capillary vessels, and extrava- 

 sation into the connective tissue. On section the tissue has a dark-red 

 appearance. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is simple. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is less alarming than might at first sight 

 be supposed. 



