Thirty-fourth Annual Convention. . ^^^ 



called for, as nature unHer favorable circumstances will soon 

 effect a cure. In the more severe cases the injuries are usually 

 noticed by the milker on sitting down to the cow to milk or by 

 the uneasiness of the animal while milking. On examination of 

 the udder it may seem hot and the cow evince pain when the 

 udder is handled or manipulated. Cuts and contusions are read- 

 ily recognized. On careful examination, hot sore, swollen areas 

 are located which are superficial or deep depending on the nature 

 and severity of the injury. Where the substance of the gland 

 is involved, many times the first thing that gives warning of 

 an injury is blood streaked milk from the quarter, this being due 

 to the rupture of some of the small blood vessels in the part. 



Treatment. 



There is nothing that affords greater relief, and so quickly, 

 as application of hot water poultices to wounded or injured 

 udders. Woolen cloths wrung out of hot water and held against 

 the affected part several times daily will be followed with good 

 results. Where the pain or soreness is excessive an anodyne 

 (opium or belladonna) may be added to the water. Follow the 

 applications of water with soothing ointments or anodyne lini- 

 ments. These should be rubbed in well and the udder gently 

 hand rubbed. Belladonna or camphorated ointment is a very 

 valuable remedy where the pain is severe, or the tinctures of 

 belladonna or opium may be applied direct where necessity 

 demands it. It is better not to resort to extreme measures if 

 they can be avoided as the results from these heroic measures are 

 often injurious to the gland. 



Cuts, lacerations and contusions are treated in the cow the 

 same as in man. Where the wounds are large and gaping they 

 should be washed out with clean water, and antiseptics, all 

 ragged edges removed, and the wound sewed up. Adhesive 

 plaster may take the place of sutures in certain cases. The 

 most troublesome cuts and injuries are those that involve the 

 canal of the teat and especially where the cow is in milk. The 

 aim in these cases is to avoid the closing up of the canal. The 

 injured sides of the canal must be kept apart to avoid their 

 growing together. Several devices have been used for this pur- 

 pose, such as spring teat dilators, gutta percha bougies, pledgets 

 of cotton, teat tubes, etc., with more or less success. Care should 

 be taken that these should be perfectly clean and aseptic before 



