DISORDERS OF THE UDDER 271 



If internal, or vaccine, treatment of any kind is needed it 

 should be given— or at least directed— by a veterinarian. In 

 most cases the owner can safely give nitrate of potash (salt- 

 peter), 2 ounces at a dose, with i/ 2 pound Epsom salts, three 

 times a day, each dose dissolved in a quart of water. 



For external treatment of the udder, apply hot water freely 

 for long periods of time; e.g. twice a day 2 or more hours at 

 each treatment. The water should be used as hot as it can be 

 comfortably handled— it is easy to scald an udder— and should 

 be used very freely. This hot-water treatment may be applied to 

 good advantage by putting a sling around the cow's body under 

 the udder and in front of the hips to support the udder. Four 

 holes may be cut for the teats, and woollen cloths packed around 

 the udder to hold the heat and moisture. The hot water can 

 then be poured in from above or be thrown against the pack- 

 ing from below by means of a small dipper. The object is to 

 treat the udder with moist heat for a long period of time. 



After each water treatment rub the udder dry and apply a 

 light dressing of olive oil. Long-continued, moderate rubbing 

 and handling of the udder is beneficial. This is best accom- 

 plished by first milking dry and then a combined rubbing and 

 gentle kneading action with the hands. This massage, if not 

 unreasonably severe, is helpful, and should be given freely sev- 

 eral times a day and for 15 minutes or more at each treat- 

 ment. 



Udder Diseases and Accidents 



Injuries. — Udders and teats are often injured by barbed wire, 

 for example, or by being tread upon in the stable by a cow in 

 the next stall; and these injuries require careful treatment 

 usually by a veterinarian. 



Treatment. — In general such wounds should be trimmed, well 

 soaked in a mild, hot antiseptic, like hot saturated boracic acid 

 solution, and then covered with an antiseptic powder. In case 

 but little tissue has been destroyed, it may be well to partly 

 or wholly close the wound and cover a generous portion of the 

 teat with surgeons' adhesive tape. Tears into the milk duct 

 require skillful surgical treatment, and the teat may often be 

 saved in good shape. The owner should not insert a milk tube 

 except as a last resort. It is often safer to trust to long con- 



