Stricture or Atresia of the Teats looi 



ially favorable in those cases where theobstructiou is quite near to 

 the end of the teat, and the teat is so long that it will have ample 

 length after amputation. The teat is grasped with the fingers, 

 and is amputated immediately above the point of obstruction, 

 either with a pair of scissors or with a scalpel. As the teat is at 

 the moment somewhat stretched, the stump assumes the form of 

 a crater, which favors healing. Kiihn has constructed special 

 forceps. Fig. 144, for holding the teat in such a manner that the 

 excision is readily performed with the scalpel. 



Fig. 144. Teat-Amputating Forceps of Kuhn. 

 ( Bayer and Frohner. ) 



After the teat is amputated, the milk flows away involuntarily, 

 but later, as the healing process goes on, the opening narrows, 

 and finally the milk is retained as before. Following the ampu- 

 tation, there is little difficulty from hemorrhage, and if any occur 

 it may be checked by a bandage or by a rubber band, placed 

 around the teat, but not too tightly, lest it interfere with the life 

 of the tissues. It may be well, for a time, to protect the wound 

 against infection by means of antiseptics applied upon a cotton 

 pack, which covers the wound and the teat generally and main- 

 tains antisepsis for a few hours. This dressing may be retained 

 in position by a ligature about the teat, or with strips of adhe- 

 sive plaster. 



If it is desired to prevent the milk from escaping, it may be 

 retained by the application of an elastic, or other ligature, near 

 the end of the teat, sufficiently tight to close the milk canal, but 

 not tight enough to interfere seriously with the nutrition of the 

 part. 



Amputation of the teat is impracticable when the obstruction 

 is located near its base. 



Vennerholm recommends that, when there are transverse' mem- 

 branous folds across the cistern, the teat should be as firmly 

 grasped as possible above the obstruction, and then so vigorously 

 pressed that the milk contained brings about a rupture of the 



