CALCULI IN THE LACTIFEROUS DUCTS. 
491 
Prognosis. — Fearing that a longer detention of the milk in this 
quarter would be followed by unfavourable symptoms, and that 
mammitis might be looked for, and probably, as a result, a trouble- 
some case to deal with, I at once determined upon removing this 
body by cutting down upon it. I had, however, some misgivings 
with regard to the healing of a wound in this duct, having found 
contused wounds and injuries of the nipple in milch cows pro- 
ductive of much trouble to the practitioner and inconvenience to 
the milker: indeed, more than ordinary care must be observed by 
the latter, as the operation of milking in such cases gives pain to 
the animal and consequently extra trouble to the milker; she is 
often therefore, under these circumstances, not properly milked, 
and garget frequently ensues, to the annoyance of the veterinary 
attendant and to the disadvantage of the dairy. 
Operation and Treatment . — Having hobbled the cow’s hind legs, 
I pushed the body up the duct to a spot about midway between 
the base and apex of the teat. I grasped it firmly here between 
the finger and thumb of the left hand. I then cut down upon it, 
making a vertical incision on the outside of the teat hardly large 
enough to admit of its passing; by this means the calculus was 
easily extracted. 
A large and continuous stream of milk followed its removal, 
passing through the artificial opening in the duct, which continued 
to flow in a copious stream till the quarter was quite empty. I 
then brought the edges of the wound together, and placed round 
the teat bands of adhesive plaister. 
The animal appears much relieved. 1 administered the follow- 
ing draught before leaving her: — 
R Magnes. sulph Jxij 
Nit. potass 3j 
Aquae tep Ojss. 
18/A. — The medicine is operating. The milker had no difficulty 
in obtaining milk this morning — it flowed from the natural orifice ; 
none escapes from the artificial opening. The wound looks as if it 
will heal by the adhesive process. 
I did not see my patient again until the 21st, when the wound 
had nearly healed. No suppuration has followed. Every circum- 
stance is satisfactory. She milks as well as before the operation ; 
and, upon inquiry some days after, all is reported to be quite right. 
I have not seen or heard of her since, but should have had in- 
formation if any thing unfavourable had occurred. 
The calculus is about the size of a small horse-bean, and not 
dissimilar in figure ; it is of a straw or cream colour externally, and 
of a chalky white internally: its surface has a smooth and polished 
aspect, being firm and dense, possessing a decidedly silicious 
