Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1912-08-02
NJ A S I | 7 is

Catarrhal form of mastitjs is an -
'lammation of the lining membrane
OF the milk ducts and sinuses and l.
'he most common form. 1t usuallv
allects only one quarter in cows and
may not produce any serious results
Clots IN the milk, especially the first
drawn, is the principal ana usror,
the only symptom noticeable
This usually runs chronic course
and Improvement takes place only
after "a few weeks or not until no
next lactation period.
The foregoing describes briefly
those cases of mastitis which resuit
from exposure, accidents wounds
etc" but there still remains those
cases which result from infection Of
the udder, or the entrance into the
tissue of pus forming or other bac-
| terra.
While the above-describcd forms
are common, these latter are also of
! frequent occurrence. The results of
experiments have proven conclusive
~ that bacteria play an important
part IN causing diseases of the udder.
The teat canal is the usual path
by which bacteria enter. as has bean
proven by permanently closing the
teat canal. Under such conditions
mastitis is far less common. even
when the environment of the animals
IS the same in both cases. or more
favorable to bacterial entrance in the
| latter.
The cases of mastitis which result
from bacterial infection are much
more severe than the foregoing, and
are frequently very complicated in
nature, attacking all the various
structures of the gland. Under sucn
conditions the primary seat of the
trouble is hard to determine. and
sometimes impossible.
Symptoms Of infectious mastitis
are more pronounced than those al
ready described and nearly always
produce a general systemic disturb
ance, attended with staring coat, re-
fusal of food, shivering, cessation of
Illumination, etc, though affected ami
mails may drink heartily and fire.
quently do seek large quantities Of
water.
Examination of animals at this
| stage reveals the fact that fever ex-
lists and the pulse is accelerated and
wiry.
These symptoms come on with
alarming rapidly, frequently in a
single night, and an examination of
the udder reveals the fact that all or
portion of that organ is swollen,
hot and painful or it may be that a
portion of the gland has passed that
stage and is cold, blue and insensi-
tive. with an inflammatory area sur
rounding it,
The portion which is cold and blue
| frequently extends until it includes
| the greater part of one quarter of
even half the udder in cows, but may
not extend beyond the dividing line
of the quarters, as these do not COM
municate with each other.
Attemps to save portions so affect
ed are useless, as such portions are
already deprived of blood, and if left
alone gradually slough away, pro-
vided the animal is strong enough to
withstand the effect of the poisOns
which are absorbed into the blood
from the diseased part. Blood poi
son and death are a frequent result.
AS a result of infection, assesses
may form in the substance of the
gland, causing hot, red, localized,
| fluctuating and very painful swell
ings, usually confined to one quarter.
These may later break to the outside
| or inward lIlIO the ulllh SIuuO VI tSo'
canal, from which the contents are
discharged through the teat opening
Milk from portions so diseased Is
mixed with pus and frequently blood
! stained, especially soon after the aD-
scess breaks.
In these cases also there is danger
of blood poisoning, especially when
the abscess is deeply seated, and does
not break readily to the outside u
teat canal.
Treatment of mastitis in COWS Ii
variable, depending upon the cause
and stage of the disease and many
times is unsatisfactory. The disease
sometimes causes death of the AMI
NAL and frequently a destruction OF
portion of the gland, or leaves tht
animal in such a condition that the1
are no longer valuable as milk pro
ducers.
Great care should be taken 0!