The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-11-01
Caked Bag.

Inflammation of the cows udder, also
commonly called garget or caked bag, is Of
frequent occurrence, and inquiries often
come TO hand concerning its causes and
treatment. 1t is an ailment which is often
very tedious and troublesome to deal with,
and attended with considerable loss to the
owner.
Among the numerous causes, may be
mentioned, plethora, arising from high
feeding, and more particularly If on rich
pasture; constitutional arrangement, Ell tn 1r
of au inhammable or febrile character;
Inflammation ofthe papills or teat, either
arising from general or local causes, such
as cow.pock; also from foot-and-mouth dis
ease; injuries from the horn OF another COW;
jumping over rails; not unfrequently blows
from a thoughtless or vicious berdsman; o
thickeued or scirrhous state fthe sphircter
of the teats, which, indeed, is q common
cause, often proving very troublesome.
1t frequently occurs that the person hav-
ing charge Of the milking, has been doing
all in his power; using much force to draw
away in his power, using much force to
draw away the milk in his band;. and he
will tell you of the difficulty he has had
for many days, perhaps weeks, till at last
he could not get away drop Of milk; and
that he has passed up the teat quill Tor
the last few days, but now he can do so no
longer, the whole extent OF the...channel
being very much inflamed, not unfrequent.
ly liberated and very sensitive. Many
cases of this kind are discovered immediate
ly after calying,the sphincter being so com
plelely closed that not one drop of milk can
be obtained, and tha quarter of the udder
enormously enlarged, as the secretion is at
this time profuse. This, If not relieved
often extends to the whole udder.
Treatment, of course must be varied With
the circumstances of the case. II slight in
its attack, mild purgative, and bathing
the parts occasionally with tepid water,wil
generally be found sufficient; but in 40
aggravated form, it will DO necessary to
giyo more powerful purgative. The udder
must be frequently bathed with terid
water, and if the bowels arc not acted on
after eight to ten hours, or If at first they
are constipated which is generally the case
frequent injections per rectum will prove o.
service. A poultice TO the udder is of great
benefit; but there is much difficulty in
properly adjusting it. Probably ground
aaxseed, made into a soft paste with warm
water, will answer better than anything
else.
Febrifuge medicine, such as the nitrate
Of potassa, in doses Of from two to four
drachms; tartarized antmony, half
drachm, combined with carminative,
may be given in little Cruel twice a day
after the action Of the purgative agent, un-
ill the Inflammation IS subdued; but if the
bowels are too freely acted on by the tartar
lied antimony, omit this, and substitute
opium, in one drachm dpses,once or twice a
day.
The aim ent seldom or never terminates
in resolution in aggravated cases; that 5
to say, IA perfect restoration, of the secl ct y
gland; but it generally ends in suppuration,
this being sometimes on the surface, but
most frequently in the body Of the gland,
When the morbid secretion can not be
drawn from the teat, the animal may be
much relieyed by making an incision at
the most pendant part of the udder in con-
nection with the top of the teat, aud this
can not be done too soon after the duct Is
closed. If pus is discovered in any part OF
the gland, plunge the lancet in, and give
free exit Immediately to it, as by allow
ing it to remain in until the abscess bursts,
it may become absorbed, and the whole
s. stem contaminated.
The health Of the animal, in severe
cases, generally continues much impaired
during and after the formation OF pus, and
this must be combated by the daily ad-
ministration of tonic medicines, and the
application Of stimulant to the udder, in
order to keep up the tone of the system. II
a still more formidable termination is sus-
pected, Damely, that Of modification or
death of a part, we must Immediately sus
pended febrifuge medicine, and commences
with tonics and dilfusible stimulants, such
as spirit of nitric ether, tincture of opium,
ginger, and caraway seeds. The animal
must be supported by liberal supply o
nutritious, easily disgested food, together
with sliced turnips, or carrots, etc. If th'
appetite be entirely gone, oatmeal grue
must be frequently given from bottle
Prairie Farmer.