^^^ Illinois State Dairymen's Association. 



inserting them, or far more injury than good will result. Where 

 the milking tube is used in these cases extreme care should be 

 taken that it be made aseptic by boiling it in bicarbonate of soda 

 (salaratus) and oiling it with carbolized vaseline before it is 

 used, so as not to infect the udder. Then insert it with a 

 rotating movement and with great care. The tube should be 

 used only when it is necessary to draw the milk in cases of wound 

 or injury. 



Antiseptics either in the form of ointments or liquids 

 should be applied, this depending on the form and position of 

 the wound. 



Congestion of the Udder. 



Congestion of the udder occurs in heavy milkers before 

 and after calving. . 

 6 Cause. 



It is caused by stagnation of blood in the udder and the 

 oozing of the fluid parts of the blood into the surrounding tis- 

 sues. 



Symptoms. 



This condition is characterized by large dropsical swellings 

 of the udder and along the abdomen. When the fingers are 

 pressed against the udder, in this condition, depressions are 

 made which remain for some time after the fingers are removed. 



This condition is so frequently seen at the time of calving 

 that it is looked upon more as a physiological condition than as 

 a real disease, as it usually disappears in a few days without 

 treatment. It is looked upon as a disease only when it termi- 

 nates in inflammation. 



Treatment. 



Usually no treatment is necessary, as the dropsical swelling 

 soon disappears after the milk flow becomes normally estab- 

 lished. 



The swelling can be greatly reduced and absorption stimu- 

 lated by gentle hand rubbing and massage (kneading) of the 

 dropsical parts. Frequent milking to stimulate the secretion of 

 milk is very important. 



No internal treatment is called for in these cases unless the 

 animal becomes costive. Then a laxative should be given, fol- 

 lowed by small doses of saltpeter. 



