DISEASES OF THE MAMMARY GLAND. 129. 
duct; a drop of milk may form a suitablé medium for 
pathogenic bacteria, the organisms passing ultimately 
to the smallest divisions of the affected portion of the 
gland; 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 cedematous; 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 
