318 PHINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



which is transmitted from animal to animal is caused by a 

 streptococcus. Many cases appear to be brought about by 

 mechanical injuries which make possible the entrance of the 

 bacteria of the skin or those normally present in the udder. 

 Other cases may be due to infection through bacteria gaining 

 entrance to the udder through the teat. The microorganisms 

 are more likely to cause trouble just before or shortly after 

 the cow calves. Exposure to cold drafts or by lying on cold, 

 damp concrete floors is an indirect cause. Unless prompt relief 

 is given, one or more quarters of the udder may become per- 

 manently damaged. 



Symptoms. — These appear suddenly and are well marked in 

 most cases. Little milk can be drawn from the affected quarters 

 and that which does come is watery and clotty in appearance. 

 In severe attacks the cow develops a fever; the udder becomes red, 

 hot, swollen, hard, and painful; lameness occurs when walking, 

 as a result of pressure on the udder by the thighs. 



Treatment. — In simple cases garget can be relieved by admin- 

 istering a saline cathartic, by providing a laxative ration contain- 

 ing little or no high protein feeds; by applying woolen cloths, 

 wrung out in hot water, for half an hour at a time two or three 

 times a day, then drying the surface quickly and anointing with 

 cottonseed oil or unsalted lard rubbed in well with the palm of 

 the hand. 



That form of mastitis which affects several cows in the herd 

 at one time and has a tendency to spread calls for a more ex- 

 tensive line of veterinary treatment than can be described in a 

 work of this kind. 



When a cow is being dried off previous to freshening, her milk 

 should be carefully inspected for evidences of garget. If this 

 condition is found, the drying off process should be deferred 

 until the milk appears normal. This may call for stripping three 

 times a day. It is much better to milk the cow up to the time 

 of calving than to run the chance of drying her off while the udder 

 is diseased, for she is likely to develop a serious form of mastitis 

 when she freshens. 



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