io4 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



man or beast. There is also a contagious mammitis due to a specific 

 streptococcus. In this form curding of the milk on standing is 

 first noticed, although local and general symptoms of mastitis are 

 wanting. Later a hard nodule gradually develops above the teat 

 and the milk becomes thin and blue, and as the gland is turned into 

 fibrous tissue, the milk changes to a yellow, fetid, acid fluid. Acute 

 mammitis frequently results in a chronic form, with persistent sup- 

 puration, or else atrophy and induration with loss of lactation in 

 the quarters or quarter affected, eventuate. The bacteriology of 

 mastitis includes infection with colon bacillus, streptococci, staphy- 

 lococci, and B. necrophorous. Among chronic infections of the 

 gland are tuberculosis, actinomycosis and botryomycosis. These 

 possess particular importance because of possibility of transmission 

 to man in the milk. 



Treatment. — In the stage of congestion, frequent milking — 

 every hour — and massage of the udder, with a full dose of Glauber's 

 and common salt and light diet, are in order. Frequent cleansing 

 of the udder and teats with soap and water and saturated boric acid 

 solution and attention to abrasions of the teats are essential. The 

 application of cracked ice in a bag, or a thick coating of anti- 

 phlogistine, and support of the udder by bandage and wide web 

 of sacking over the body, will have a tendency to abort the inflam- 

 mation in the early stages. Equal parts of mercury and belladonna 

 ointment, rubbed well into the gland several times daily, may be of 

 value in the beginning of mastitis — providing the animals are pre- 

 vented from -licking the ointment. When inflammation appears 

 certain, and there is high fever, bleeding from the jugular gives 

 relief. 



The most important and novel mode of treatment, in the 

 parenchymatous form, is that of irrigation of the interior of the 

 gland. This, however, must be done by the surgeon himself. Af- 

 ter emptying the gland of milk and thorough cleansing, about a 

 pint of warm 3 per cent, borax solution may be injected through a 



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