454 
AMPUTATION OF THE UDDER. 
Local induration can often be dissipated by cautious massage, though 
it is of little value when the swelling is of old standing. 
In purulent and gangrenous mastitis medical treatment is seldom of 
much value, and operation offers the only hope of saving life. The 
operator, however, should first thoroughly satisfy himself that the 
results are likely to pay for the trouble and expense. Among the questions 
he has to answer are: Is the functional activity of the udder likely to be 
preserved ? If not, is the animal’s life absolutely dependent on operation ? 
An affirmative answer in either case would justify operation. Single 
abscesses in the udder should be opened and treated on general principles ; 
multiple abscesses may necessitate operation to save the animal’s life, 
but not to preserve the function of the gland. Partial or total amputa¬ 
tion of the udder is usually only of value as allowing the animal to be 
kept for fattening or for work. 
Partial amputation becomes necessary when necrosis occurs during 
the progress of an attack of mastitis, Practitioners should, however, be 
cautious, and only operate where necrosis is circumscribed. Unless 
signs of demarcation are visible partial amputation is very liable to 
prove disastrous. The operation succeeds best in cows. In them one- 
half of the udder can be removed without septic processes extending to 
the other half, the suspensory ligament forming a very effective septum 
between the two portions. 
Total amputation is justifiable in acute forms of mastitis if thereby 
the process can be terminated. This is the case in the severe septic 
forms in ewes and cows, where, save for operation, death is almost 
certain. Strict antisepsis is necessary. In such cases an oval incision 
is made, embracing the whole mamma. All vessels, including the veins, 
must be ligatured to prevent secondary bleeding. After dividing the 
skin, dissection is carried on with the fingers, a director or other blunt 
instrument, until the udder only remains adherent to the suspensory 
ligament, which is then divided. The cavity is freely powdered with 
iodoform, filled with sterilised tampons of tow or cotton wool, and the 
edges brought together with sutures, which may be left in position for 
forty-eight hours. After this time sutures and tampons can be removed 
and the parts treated as an open wound. Healing sometimes occurs 
under a dry scab if iodoform-tannin be freely used. 
In gangrenous mastitis early incision into the necrotic parts and 
disinfection may effect some good. If the process has made much pro¬ 
gress, even this treatment seldom suffices, and the animal’s life can only 
be saved by amputation of the diseased portion or of the whole udder. 
Esser amputated the diseased portion or the entire organ in several 
sheep at the beginning of the disease. After checking hemorrhage, the 
surface of the wound was powdered with iodoform and smeared with tar. 
