THE 
VETERINARIAN 
VOL. XIII, No. 155.] NOVEMBER 1840. [New Series, No. 95. 
ON INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER IN THE COW. 
By M. Jean Pierre Lecoq, M. V., Bayeux, 
THE mammillary glands of the cow form an unique mass, com¬ 
posed of two symmetrical parts, simply united to one another by 
a cellular tissue, lax and very abundant. These are divided into 
two other portions, which pathological anatomy demonstrates in 
the clearest manner, and which are connected together by a compact 
laminous tissue. From each of these glands many tubes proceed, 
which unite to form a common excretory canal opening outwardly 
by means of an elongated mammillary body called a teat. At the 
back of each of these larger teats is generally a small one; but 
which, as it never furnishes milk, nor is the seat of any peculiar 
affection, we shall pass over in silence. 
These organs, destined by nature to secrete the milk necessary 
for the nourishment of the little being to whom the cow has given 
birth, become the seat, at the period of parturition, of an organic 
process for the secretion of milk, and more active than at any 
other period of lactation; therefore it is that, at the approach of 
this period, they are more subject to inflammatory affections than 
at any other time : and any cause which, at another period, would 
produce only a slight degree of irritation, now almost invariably 
gives rise to considerable inflammation. 
The cows most apt to contract this disease are those which have 
large udders —in whom the secretion of milk is most abundant, 
and who are, consequently, the best milkers. The season of the 
year, and the locality of the animal, seem to have little influence 
on the disease ; whether they are at liberty in the pasture, or in¬ 
closed in the cow-house. 
Mammitis, like all other inflammations, may terminate in reso¬ 
lution, suppuration, induration, or gangrene. We, perhaps, should 
add to this a cancerous termination; but it is of so rare occurrence, 
that I shall not take it into consideration in this memoir. 
VOL. XIII. 1 T 
