956 Veterinary Obstetrics 



tioners like Johne, Bang and Franck. They probably exert some 

 favorable influence as disinfectants. It is possible, however, 

 that the massage used in applying the ointment constitutes as 

 great, or even a greater, factor than the absorbed portion of the 

 ointment. The drugs named are also rubefacients, and may 

 favorably affect the diseased gland by exciting increased vas- 

 cularity with exalted leucocytosis. 



c. Systemic disinfection in mammitis has not yet received 

 much attention. How effectively it may be employed remains to 

 be determined. We know that potassium iodide exerts a some- 

 what specific effect, when given internally, upon lesions of acti- 

 nomycosis and botryomycosis — chronic infections which are not 

 wholly unlike the acute infections of ordinary mammitis. 



Aromatics and gum resins, when given to healthy, lactating 

 animals, are recognizable in the milk by the sense of odor and 

 taste. Most of these drugs, like camphor, turpentine and the 

 aromatic oils, are efficient disinfectants, and given in full doses 

 tend somewhat to lessen infection in the mammary gland. 



2. Modifications in the blood-flow to the udder have been 

 claimed to affect the course of mammitis. In former times practi- 

 tioners aimed to reduce the intra-mammary blood pressure by 

 means of venesection. I,ocal applications of camphor, belladonna 

 and other drugs have been made, in the belief that they decreased 

 the amount of blood sent to the udder, though the truth of this 

 has not been clearly shown. On the other hand it is not impos- 

 sible that they increase the blood supply and also the leucocy- 

 tosis, through which the treatment may act favorably upon the 

 diseased organ. 



Just as in the application of antiseptics, so here the massage 

 incident to application may exert the chief favorable influence. 



Cold has been used and advocated by some, either cold water 

 or ice being applied to the inflamed gland. It has not proven of 

 any marked value. Its tendency is to cause decreased vascu- 

 larity during the continuance, to be followed by increased blood 

 flow and vascular engorgement as soon as the cold is withdrawn. 



Fomentations with hot water, to which vinegar and various 

 other drugs are added, have long been recommended, and with 

 the accompanying massage, appear to exert a favorable influence. 

 For this purpose, a sufficiently capacious vessel should be filled 

 with as hot water as the patient can bear, and the vessel placed 



